Timothy Ryan

Timothy Ryan is a Professor of Biochemistry at Weill Cornell Medicine, leading a lab focused on understanding the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying synaptic function. His work integrates quantitative optical tools to study single synapse biology, emphasizing nerve terminal bioenergetics and metabolic vulnerabilities in neurodegenerative diseases.

He earned a Physics degree from McGill University, followed by a PhD in Physics at Cornell University under Watt Webb. After postdoctoral training in Stanford's Molecular and Cellular Physiology department, he launched his independent career at Weill Cornell. Major affiliations include the HHMI Janelia Research Campus and the Kavli Neural Systems Institute.

Key research themes include synaptic ATP dynamics, metabolic control of neurotransmission, and the role of mitochondria in synaptic health. His lab's innovations include fluorescent sensors like iATPSnFR2 for real-time ATP monitoring. Over 30 students and postdocs have trained under him, many securing academic and industry roles globally.

Notable awards include the McKnight Technological Innovation in Neuroscience Award (twice), NINDS Javitz Award, and election to the National Academy of Sciences (2024) and American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2024). His work has been featured in Nature, Neuron, and Science, with recent focus on synaptic metabolic deficits in Parkinson's disease and mitochondrial roles in synaptic function.