Julia Dallman

Julia Dallman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Miami, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders using zebrafish models, particularly investigating genetic mutations linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), such as SYNGAP1, SHANK3, and SORD. Her work bridges molecular genetics, behavioral analysis, and translational medicine, with a focus on comorbidities like gastrointestinal dysfunction and sensory processing deficits.

• Education & Training: Background in neuroscience and developmental biology, with expertise in CRISPR mutagenesis and zebrafish behavioral assays.
• Research Interests: Genetic basis of ASD, gut-brain axis interactions, pharmacological interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders, and anesthesia-related neural activity.

Her lab has developed zebrafish models to study SYNGAP1-related hyperactivity, SHANK3-linked sensory deficits, and gastrointestinal motility disorders. Collaborations with clinicians (e.g., Dr. Baharak Moshiree) and industry (e.g., Symplify LLC) aim to translate findings into clinical tools, such as non-invasive gut transit tests using blue dye markers.

Recent studies include drug screening for Phelan-McDermid syndrome and SYNGAP1-related disorders, identifying genotype-specific effects of medications like risperidone and lithium chloride. Her work also addresses anesthesia recovery delays in glycine transporter mutants, linking preoptic brain activity to behavioral lethargy.

• Grants & Funding: Supported by the Simons Foundation, CureGRIN Foundation, and SYNGAP Research Fund for projects on gastrointestinal dysfunction and sensory interventions.
• Labs/Teams: Dallman Lab at the University of Miami collaborates with institutions like Atrium Health, Kennedy Krieger Institute, and Wake Forest School of Medicine.