Eric Samarut

Eric Samarut is an **Adjunct Associate Professor** in the **Department of Neuroscience** at the **Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal**. His research focuses on neurodevelopmental processes, GABA signaling, and gene therapy applications for neurological disorders. He leads projects investigating the roles of genes like DEPDC5 and RFC1 in brain development, neuromuscular diseases, and epilepsy. His work integrates zebrafish models with CRISPR technology and machine learning for drug discovery.

**Research Projects**:

• Non-canonical roles of DEPDC5 (2023–2029, IRSC-funded): In vivo functional genomics to study brain development and diseases.
• GABA signaling in nervous system homeostasis (2021–2027, CRSNG-funded): Molecular mechanisms in neural formation.
• Neuroinflammation biomarkers in epilepsy (co-investigator, 2023–2029): Multicenter study on tuberous sclerosis complex.

**Grants & Collaborations**: Principal investigator or co-investigator in over 10 funded projects (total funding sources: IRSC, CRSNG, FRQS, MITACS). Collaborates with institutions like CRCHUM and researchers such as Mark Keezer and Xavier Banquy. Supervised 3 Master's theses (2022–2024) on topics like RFC1 gene roles and drug repurposing.

**Teaching**: Teaches **NSC-6020 – Advanced Scientific Communication** for the Master's in Neuroscience program.