Maureen Barr

Maureen Barr is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Genetics at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, within the School of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on modeling human genetic diseases in the model organism C. elegans, particularly studying cilia biology and sexual behavior. She leads an active research laboratory investigating ciliary specialization, extracellular vesicle communication, and neural circuit development.

• B.A., Biology, Rutgers University (1990)
• Ph.D., Genetics and Development, Columbia University (1995)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, California Institute of Technology/HHMI (1995–2000)
• Faculty, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2000–2007)
• Associate Professor, Rutgers Genetics (2007–2012)
• Full Professor, Rutgers Genetics (2012–present)

Her research lies at the intersection of genetics, neurobiology, and cell biology. She investigates how cilia function in sensory perception and intercellular communication, especially through extracellular vesicles (EVs), and how defects lead to human ciliopathies. Her lab uses C. elegans to dissect neural circuits, identify genes essential for nervous system function, and perform in vivo imaging of protein trafficking. Approaches include chemical genetics and electrophysiology.

The recent publications from her lab highlight a strong trend in understanding cilia-EV biology, ciliary stability, and mitochondrial interactions. Her team has uncovered mechanisms of EV release in response to mechanical stimuli, the role of tubulin isotypes in ciliary structure, and kinase regulation of ciliary degeneration. These studies have broad implications for kidney, neurological, and reproductive disorders.

Maureen Barr has been recognized with prestigious honors, including:

• AAAS Fellow
• Mentorship of students receiving NIH F31 and PKD Foundation fellowships

She actively mentors PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, with several having completed their theses under her guidance. Her lab has secured competitive grants and collaborates with researchers such as Chris Rongo and Dave Hall. She co-organized the GSA TAGC24 meeting, demonstrating leadership in the genetics community.

The Barr Lab is a dynamic research group focused on cilia biology, EV-based communication, and their roles in human disease. Current members include graduate students, postdocs, and undergraduate researchers. The lab maintains an active presence at scientific conferences and continues to publish in top-tier journals.