Mackenzie Howard

Mackenzie Howard is a Research Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Dell Medical School and University of Texas at Austin. She holds affiliations with the Center for Learning and Memory and directs the Howard Neuro Lab. Her research focuses on cellular and circuit mechanisms linking neurological disease mutations to cognitive deficits, particularly in genetic epilepsies and neurodevelopmental disorders. She uses genetic mouse models to study how mutations affect neuronal subtypes and neural circuits, employing electrophysiological, imaging, and behavioral techniques.

Howard earned a BA in Biology from Lewis and Clark College in 1998, followed by a PhD in Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Washington (2008). She completed postdoctoral training at UCSF, shifting her focus to synaptic plasticity in epilepsy. Her lab prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, advocating for underrepresented groups in science.

Research themes include synaptic integration in epilepsy models, interneuron transplantation, and the effects of genetic mutations on neuronal physiology. The lab actively publishes on topics like Scn1b knockout mice and Dravet syndrome mechanisms. Mentoring and scientific education are core values, with a commitment to advancing DEI initiatives.