Demet Araç-Özkan, PhD

Associate Professor

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Our lab studies the mechanisms by which adhesion-type G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) function in the brain. One of our current goals is to decipher the role of the newly discovered GAIN domain in the function of the adhesion GPCR using a combination of biophysical, biochemical and cell biological (…)

Robert Carrillo, PhD

Assistant Professor

Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology

DARN Program Director

The long term goals of the lab are to understand the molecules and developmental programs that regulate neuronal development and wiring. In a previous study, we investigated the biology of the novel interactions between two subfamilies of the immunoglobulin superfamily in Drosophila (…)

Alfredo Garcia, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Medicine

Dr. Garcia has a broad research interest in the influence of local neuronal environments on neurodevelopment and the coordination of information among neural networks. His current work is focused on understanding the impact of blood gas homeostasis on (1) central cardio-respiratory control, (2) neurodevelopment and (3) synaptic plasticity. This work has implications (…)

William Green, PhD

Professor

Neurobiology

My research is focused on ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors, the receptors responsible for the rapid postsynaptic response in nerve and muscle. These receptors are large oligomeric membrane proteins with subunits surrounding an ion channel that opens when (…)

Elizabeth Heckscher, PhD

Assistant Professor

Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology

To study the molecular, cellular, & developmental basis of behavior, we use Drosophila larval sensorimotor system as a model system. In Drosophila larvae we can span multiple levels of analysis, from molecular and cellular biology to organismal behavior. We have two main interests: neural circuit development and the neural basis (…)

Sarah London, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Psychology

We use a combination of molecular biology and genomic techniques, in vivo molecular manipulations, and behavioral assays to draw interconnections between neurogenomic activation and behavior. The zebra finch is a powerful model for these studies because the majority of their brain development occurs after hatching (…)

Jason Maclean, PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Neurobiology

We are a group of multi-disciplinary scientists who employ computational and empirical approaches to the study of neocortex. Our research focuses on the mechanisms of neuronal circuit spiking dynamics and how these dynamics control behavior. We employ a blend of large-scale neuronal recordings, quantitative analysis, computational modeling, and machine learning. (…)

Engin Özkan, PhD

Assistant Professor

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Our Laboratory is striving to understand the development and functioning of the nervous system through structural biology and biochemistry. We are interested in protein-protein interactions and their molecular underpinnings that govern how neurons function and are regulated by their environment. (…)

Victoria E. Prince, PhD

Professor

Organismal Biology and Anatomy

Dean for Graduate Education

The Prince Lab’s research program has evolved and expanded from an initial fascination with the regionalization of developing vertebrate animals.  This interest led to a focus on the Hox genes, which play a major role in conferring regional identity.  Using the zebrafish as our primary model, we took a deep dive into the organization, function and (…)

Clifton Warren Ragsdale, PhD

Professor

Department of Neurobiology

Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy

Timothy Sanders, MD PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Pediatrics

My interests are in understanding the mechanisms by which the early embryo and nervous system develop. As an academic Neonatologist with a doctorate in Neurobiology, I provide intensive care for our most fragile children in the Comer Children’s NICU as well as have an active research group and laboratory as part of the Grossman (…) 

Xiaochang Zhang, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Human Genetics

We study fundamental mechanisms of brain development with the ultimate goal of diagnosing and treating neurological disorders. Current research centers on: neuron types in the cerebral cortex, RNA splicing and neural development, and neurodevelopmental disorders. (…)