Ivan Anastassov

Ivan Anastassov is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at San Francisco State University (SFSU), where he has been since 2018. He holds a Ph.D. from the City University of New York. His research focuses on the biology of vision, comparative retinal neurophysiology, and the functional and anatomical diversity of sensory neurons. He leads the Anastassov Laboratory, studying retinal design in vertebrates to understand how neuronal diversity contributes to sensory processing.

His specialties include the development of retinal circuits and the study of sensory neuron diversity using molecular, anatomical, and neurophysiological approaches. The lab’s work primarily involves mice and skates (a cartilaginous fish), examining synaptic connectivity, mitochondrial structure, and functional plasticity in retinal neurons. Key themes include how neuronal subtypes process visual stimuli and the mechanisms behind selective synaptic connections.

Anastassov’s recent articles (2021–2023) emphasize ultrastructural analysis of skate retinas, synaptic connectivity, and functional adaptations in pure-rod retinas. His research bridges cell biology, neuroscience, and comparative anatomy, with a focus on retinal degeneration mechanisms and compensation pathways. He maintains an active lab website detailing ongoing projects and collaborations.

No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided materials. His advising record is not detailed here, though his lab likely engages students in research activities. His office is located in Hensill Hall 214, with lab space in Hensill Hall 227–229.