Mentor Areas
I am a developmental neurobiologist and psychiatrist who has been NIH-funded since 1998. The focus of my laboratory concerns the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern the development of the mammalian forebrain in relation to neuropsychiatric disease. We use mouse genetics, forebrain slice and dissociated culture techniques, as well as mouse and human embryonic stem cells in cell culture and transplantation experiments to study the development of the cerebral cortex. We are particularly focused on the fate determination of key subclasses of cortical inhibitory interneurons.
Some current major projects in the lab include
- Acceleration of the maturation for human stem cell derived neurons by reversible activation of mTOR signaling
- Use of stem cell derived inhibitory interneurons transplants to correct circuit pathology and abnormal social behaviors in a mouse model of Dravet's syndrome autism
- Mitochondrial deficits in iPS derived neurons from patients with schizophrenia and the 22q11 deletion syndrome
I am also committed to the training and career development of undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research technicians in our group.
Description:
Projects will vary. Interested students should contact us to discuss possibilities
Preferred Qualifications
Fascination with neuroscience!
Details:
Preferred Student Year
First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.