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Carol TammingaView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Neurology
• +7 more

Dr. Carol Tamminga is a Professor and Chief of Translational Research in Psychosis at UT Southwestern Medical Center’s School of Medicine. She holds an M.D. from Vanderbilt University and completed psychiatry residency at the University of Chicago. Her career includes faculty roles at the University of Chicago, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), University of Maryland Medical School, and UT Southwestern since 2003. Her research focuses on schizophrenia mechanisms, particularly psychosis and memory dysfunction, integrating neuroimaging and postmortem brain studies to identify biomarkers and drug targets. She has pioneered translational approaches linking functional brain imaging to molecular pathology. Leadership Roles: Deputy Editor of the American Journal of Psychiatry, Member of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Advisory Board, and Fellow of the Institute of Medicine (elected 1998). Professional Contributions: FDA Psychopharmacological Drugs Advisory Committee Member, Brain and Behavioral Research Foundation Advisory Board Member. Key awards include election to the National Academies of Medicine (1998). Ongoing work includes leading the Conte Center on Epigenetic Mechanisms of Depression and contributing to the International Congress on Schizophrenia Research.

Melanie CobbView profile

Professor

• Cell Signaling
• Protein Kinase Regulation
• Cancer Biology
• +5 more

Melanie Cobb is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, holding the Jane and Bill Browning, Jr. Chair in Medical Science. Her research focuses on cellular regulatory mechanisms, particularly protein kinase signaling pathways such as ERK1/2 MAP kinases and WNK kinases. Her work spans pancreatic β-cell function, cancer biology (including small cell lung cancer), and hypertension-related mechanisms. She leads the Cobb Laboratory, investigating how cells respond to hormonal, nutrient, stress, and developmental signals. Education Bachelor’s in Biochemistry, University of Chicago PhD in Biological Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis (lab of Garland Marshall) Postdoctoral work with Ora Rosen at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Research Highlights Dr. Cobb’s lab explores: ERK1/2 roles in nutrient-sensing pathways, particularly in pancreatic β-cells and cancers (e.g., SCLC) WNK1 kinase’s effects on ion channels, endothelial cell migration, and hypertension pathogenesis Mechanisms linking insulin gene transcription to ERK signaling and calcineurin Awards & Recognition No awards explicitly listed in provided texts. Lab & Collaborations The Cobb Laboratory collaborates on projects involving kinase regulation, cancer biology, and metabolic disorders. Opportunities exist for students and researchers to join the team through open positions.

Henry ZotView profile

Professor

• Muscle Physiology
• Biochemical Regulation
• Actin-Myosin Interaction
• +2 more

Dr. Henry Zot is Professor of Biology at the University of West Georgia's School of Field Investigations and Experimental Sciences. His research focuses on muscle contraction mechanisms, calcium signaling, and actin-myosin interactions using biophysical and biochemical approaches. His publication record spans four decades, with recent work modeling force redevelopment and thin filament activation. Research integrates thermodynamics with mechanical analysis of muscle regulation. Teaching includes Human Physiology, Biochemistry, and Senior Biology Seminar courses.

Aryn H. GittisView profile

Professor

• Neural Circuits
• Basal Ganglia
• Movement Disorders
• +3 more

Aryn H. Gittis is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), affiliated with the Mellon College of Science. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego, and completed postdoctoral training at the Gladstone Institute for Neurological Disease. Her research focuses on neural circuits in the basal ganglia, particularly their role in regulating movement, learning, motivation, and reward. Her lab employs techniques such as optogenetics, electrophysiology, histology, and behavioral analysis in mouse models to study motor control in health and movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. Key research interests include understanding how basal ganglia circuits are altered by experience and disrupted in disease. Notable recent work includes studies on the indirect pathway’s role in punishment processing (Neuron, 2023) and neuromodulation strategies for deep brain stimulation (Science, 2021). Her lab actively mentors graduate students (e.g., Mary Cundiff, Katrina Nguyen) and postdoctoral fellows (e.g., Krishna Muthukumarappan), and collaborates on projects involving cholinergic interneurons and globus pallidus circuitry. Dr. Gittis’ work integrates experimental and theoretical approaches to unravel the neural basis of motor control, with implications for developing therapies for movement disorders. Her lab is located in the Mellon Institute and maintains an active presence in neuroscience conferences and publications. Funding sources and grant details are not explicitly listed in the provided texts.

Henry MarkramView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neural Microcircuits
• Computational Neuroscience
• +2 more

Henry Markram is Full Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Neural Microcircuitry at EPFL's School of Life Sciences. A neuroscience pioneer, he founded the Blue Brain Project and discovered fundamental principles including Spike Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP). His research focuses on reverse-engineering neural microcircuits to understand cortical computation. Research Domains: Electrophysiology & Microcircuits: Multi-patch clamp characterization of neuronal properties Channelome: Systematic profiling of ion channel biophysics Neuroanatomy: 3D reconstruction of cortical neuron morphologies Plasticity: Time-scale adaptive synaptic modification mechanisms Neuromodulation: Dopaminergic and cholinergic circuit regulation Publication Focus: Computational neuroscience dominates recent works, featuring multi-scale modeling of neural systems, comparative neuroanatomy, and metabolic interactions. Articles frequently employ advanced simulation techniques to explore information processing across biological scales. Awards & Leadership: Fulbright Scholar, Minerva Fellow, and founder of the Blue Brain Project. Directs 10+ doctoral researchers investigating neocortical circuit principles.

Troy LittletonView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• Synaptic Plasticity
• +6 more

Roles and Affiliations: J. Troy Littleton is the Menicon Professor of Neuroscience at MIT, holding joint appointments in the Departments of Biology and Brain and Cognitive Sciences. He is an investigator at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory and serves as Director of MIT’s Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Graduate Program. Education: M.D. and Ph.D. from Baylor College of Medicine’s Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Research Interests: Focuses on synaptic connectivity, plasticity, and dysfunction in neurological diseases. Key areas include synapse formation, neurotransmitter release mechanisms, and modeling disorders like autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease using Drosophila . His lab developed tools for live imaging of synaptic activity and identified pathways linking neuronal activity to synaptic growth. Articles Overview: Recent work explores active zone regulation, calcium signaling, and glial-neuronal interactions. Studies highlight roles for ALG10, RNA editing, and complexin in synaptic function and disease. Awards: Recognized with prestigious awards including the Packard Fellowship, Packard Foundation Award, and multiple NIH grants. His work bridges molecular mechanisms and behavioral outcomes, emphasizing translational relevance. Labs and Teams: Leads the Littleton Lab, fostering interdisciplinary research on synaptic physiology. Collaborates on projects involving axonal transport, synaptic plasticity, and disease modeling.

Tom GondaView profile

Professor

• Molecular Oncology
• Leukemia Research
• Transcriptional Regulation
• +5 more

Honorary Professor Tom Gonda is affiliated with the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Queensland. His research spans molecular oncology with a focus on transcriptional regulation, particularly the MYB oncogene, and its role in leukemia and other cancers. Professor Gonda's research interests center on the molecular mechanisms of cancer development, with special emphasis on the MYB transcription factor and its role in leukemogenesis. His work has significantly advanced understanding of how MYB dysregulation contributes to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other malignancies. His laboratory investigates transcriptional regulation, DNA damage response pathways, and the molecular basis of hematopoietic differentiation. His research has important implications for developing targeted therapies for leukemia and other cancers. Analysis of Professor Gonda's publication record from 2016-2023 reveals a consistent focus on MYB-related oncogenesis across multiple cancer types, particularly acute myeloid leukemia. His work demonstrates how MYB interacts with other transcription factors (like C/EBPβ and p300) and chromatin regulators to drive leukemogenesis. Recent publications highlight the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA repair defects in AML, suggesting novel therapeutic vulnerabilities. His research also extends to breast cancer, where MYB regulates DNA damage response pathways in estrogen receptor-positive disease. Professor Gonda has mentored numerous researchers throughout his career, with collaborations spanning multiple institutions and disciplines. His laboratory has contributed significantly to understanding the molecular basis of hematopoietic malignancies through extensive publication in high-impact journals. His research is conducted within the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Queensland, where he maintains an active laboratory investigating transcriptional regulation in cancer. His work bridges basic molecular biology with translational applications for cancer therapy.

Nicolas ChevalierView profile

Associate Professor

• Cognitive Development
• Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
• Executive Function
• +3 more

Nicolas Chevalier is a Reader in the Department of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, affiliated with the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from Aix-Marseille University and has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focuses on cognitive control development in children, leveraging behavioral experiments, neuroimaging (ERP, NIRS), and physiological methods to understand how children develop executive function, metacognitive strategies, and adaptive decision-making. He leads the Wee Science research group, collaborating with families and schools to study childhood cognition and learning. His work spans developmental cognitive neuroscience, examining how environmental cues, cognitive resources, and prior experiences shape children’s ability to prioritize tasks and regulate attention. Key areas include statistical learning, metacognitive monitoring, and the genetic and environmental influences on executive function. Chevalier teaches Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at the undergraduate level and supervises MSc and PhD students, emphasizing proactive control and its academic impacts. His research has been funded by the ESRC, NIH, and Leverhulme Trust. Notable projects investigate the role of inner speech in ADHD, calcium dynamics in embryonic gut development, and genetic mediators of executive function. Chevalier’s publications bridge cognitive, developmental, and clinical psychology, with over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2015.

Marino Di FrancoView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Muscle Physiology
• Electrophysiology
• Calcium Homeostasis
• +3 more

Marino Di Franco is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He holds a PhD in Cell Physiology from the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) and has held academic positions at UCV before joining UCLA in 2002. His primary research focuses on muscle electrophysiology, calcium homeostasis, and optogenetic techniques to study muscle physiology. Di Franco leads the Laboratory of Muscle Physiology and Biophysics, investigating conditions like muscle dystrophy and malignant hyperthermia. He has received multiple awards, including the 2000 Annual Award from UCV and the 1994 Orinoquia PhD Thesis Award. His NIH-funded research (R21AR067422) explores optogenetic control of muscle excitability. Di Franco has advised numerous collaborators and published extensively in top journals, with notable contributions to understanding ion channel dysfunction in muscle disorders. Education: PhD in Cell Physiology (1991), Universidad Central de Venezuela; Bachelor's in Biology (1986), UCV. Research Interests: Optogenetic tools for muscle studies, calcium signaling, ion channel physiology, and skeletal muscle disorders. Di Franco's work bridges electrophysiology, microscopy, and optogenetics to elucidate mechanisms underlying muscle diseases. His lab employs advanced techniques like two-photon imaging and FRET to study calcium microdomains and ion transport in muscle fibers. Recent studies highlight contributions to Andersen-Tawil syndrome, hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and heart failure-related muscle dysfunction. Awards: Over 10 awards from Venezuela's Ministry of Science and educational institutions for research excellence. Grants: NIH R21AR067422 (2014-2017) for optogenetic control of muscle excitability. He collaborates with leading institutions, including UCLA's Department of Medicine and UC Davis, focusing on translational research in muscle physiology and disease mechanisms. Di Franco's lab also develops novel microelectrode technologies and imaging tools for ion activity studies in muscle fibers.

James N. WeissView profile

Professor

• Arrhythmia Biology
• Ischemia Biology and Cardioprotection
• Systems Genetics
• +3 more

James N. Weiss, MD is a Distinguished Professor in Medicine and Physiology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), holding the Kawata Endowed Chair in Cardiology. He leads the UCLA Cardiovascular Research Laboratory and directs the Division of Cardiology. His research integrates experimental biology, mathematical modeling, and systems biology to address cardiac arrhythmias, ischemic injury, and genetic heart disease mechanisms. Dr. Weiss has authored over 300 articles and directed major NIH grants, including a Specialized Center of Research in Sudden Cardiac Death and Program Project Grants. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Archibald Byron Macallum Lectureship and Mayo Soley Award. Education includes a BS in Physics from Hamilton College, MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and cardiology training at UCLA. His interdisciplinary work spans arrhythmia biology (fibrillation mechanisms), ischemia biology (metabolic pathways and cardioprotection), and systems genetics (using hybrid mouse models to study polygenic diseases). Key collaborations involve mathematicians, bioengineers, and geneticists to develop novel therapies targeting ion channels, mitochondrial function, and gene networks. Research highlights include modeling nonlinear dynamics of arrhythmias, investigating mitochondrial permeability transition’s role in reperfusion injury, and pioneering the Gene Module Association Study (GMAS) for genetic disease analysis. His lab’s innovations aim to translate basic science discoveries into clinical tools for arrhythmia prevention and heart disease treatment.

• Synaptic Plasticity
• AMPA Receptors
• Neurophysiology
• +2 more

Prof. Dr. Valentin Stein leads research at the Institute of Physiology II, University of Bonn, focusing on synaptic mechanisms underlying brain function and neurodevelopmental disorders. His team investigates protein interactions at glutamatergic synapses, particularly AMPA receptor regulation through posttranslational modifications like neddylation. Key research areas include: 1) Molecular basis of synaptic plasticity and spine dynamics; 2) Neddylation's role in synaptic transmission/cognition; 3) Neurophysiological impacts of stress vulnerability; 4) Ion channel dysfunction in epilepsy. Experimental approaches combine electrophysiology, molecular biology, and in vivo two-photon microscopy. Publications demonstrate translational neuroscience linking fundamental synaptic processes to cognitive outcomes, with implications for epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, and neuropsychiatric conditions.

Sarah McIntyreView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Sensory Neuroscience
• Neurophysiology
• +3 more

Sarah McIntyre is an Assistant Professor at Linköping University's Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. She leads the McIntyre Lab and is part of the Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN). Her research focuses on understanding how the nervous system processes touch sensations to fulfill physiological, emotional, and social functions, including studies on social touch communication, pain mechanisms, and alcohol reward systems. Key research interests include tactile perception, neural correlates of decision-making related to substance use, and the biomechanics of human interaction. She collaborates across disciplines, such as a project developing smart textiles for chronic pain relief. Recent work has explored neuronal encoding in mechanoreceptors, somatosensory cortical processing, and the role of Nav1.7 ion channels in pain pathways. Publications span neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and biomedical engineering, with emphasis on social touch nuances, sensory discrimination deficits post-stroke, and pandemic healthcare outcomes. McIntyre’s lab integrates experimental psychology, neuroimaging, and biomechanical analysis to decode tactile communication’s emotional and physiological underpinnings.

Sergiy NadtochiyView profile

Associate Professor

• Mitochondrial Biology
• Cardiac Metabolism
• Reperfusion Injury
• +3 more

Sergiy Nadtochiy, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD), holding joint appointments in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology and Physiology. His research focuses on mitochondrial biology, cardiac metabolism, and reperfusion injury mechanisms. Dr. Nadtochiy has contributed extensively to understanding oxidative stress, cardioprotection, and metabolic signaling in cardiovascular diseases. Education & Training: PhD in Biophysics, Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Ukraine (2004) MS in Radiophysics, Kyiv Taras Shevchenko University (2000) BS in Applied Physics, Kyiv Taras Shevchenko University (1999) Postdoctoral Fellowships: Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology (2004) and University of Rochester Medical Center (2004–2009) Research Interests: Dr. Nadtochiy investigates mitochondrial dysfunction in ischemia-reperfusion injury, cardioprotective agents (e.g., NMN, nitroalkenes), and metabolic adaptations during cardiac stress. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, particularly in anticoagulation strategies for cardiac surgery and drug development. Awards & Recognition: Three-time recipient of the URSMD Keith Miner Ford Award for Excellence in Teaching (2022, 2021, 2020) Manual D. Goldman Prize (2021, 2017) URSMD Alumni Association Gold Medal Award (2018) Grants & Collaborations: Active in translational research, Dr. Nadtochiy collaborates with teams investigating mitochondrial S-nitrosylation, succinate metabolism, and drug efficacy in cardiopulmonary bypass. His lab has explored mechanisms of necrosis, metabolic checkpoints in embryonic hearts, and the role of pH in signaling pathways. Labs & Teams: Leads a research group focused on mitochondrial physiology and translational cardiology. Collaborates with the Brookes Lab and other interdisciplinary teams at URMC.

Souvarish SarkarView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Neuroinflammation
• Gene-Environment Interactions
• +6 more

Souvarish Sarkar, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine and Neuroscience (joint appointment) at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. His research focuses on understanding gene-environment interactions in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease (PD), using Drosophila genetics, rodent models, and cell culture systems. He completed his Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at Iowa State University and postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School with Dr. Mel Feany. Education: B.Tech. in Biotechnology, Heritage Institute of Technology, India (2013) Ph.D. in Molecular Toxicology, Iowa State University (2018) Research Interests: Dr. Sarkar's work investigates how environmental toxicants (e.g., pesticides, metals) interact with genetic factors to drive neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Key areas include: Mechanisms of α-synuclein pathology and prion-like propagation Role of microglial ion channels and exosome signaling in PD Development of multiplex models to study gene-environment interactions Impact of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurotoxicity Awards: NIH K99/R00 Career Transition Grant (2022) Young Investigator Award (2025) Multiple recognitions for research excellence in neurotoxicology (2017–2023) Lab Activities: His lab integrates molecular biology, proteomics, and in vivo models to study: Environmental manganese's role in PD pathogenesis Gene-environment interaction networks in neurodegeneration Development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting neuroinflammatory pathways Collaborations: Active partnerships with the Environmental Health Sciences Center and Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at URMC.

Charles A. ThorntonView profile

Professor

• Neurogenetic disorders
• Myotonic dystrophy
• Therapeutics
• +3 more

Charles A. Thornton, M.D. is a Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, holding the Saunders Family Distinguished Professorship in Neuromuscular Research. He specializes in neurogenetic disorders, particularly myotonic dystrophy (DM1/DM2), focusing on ion channel dysfunction and RNA-based therapeutics. His work includes developing antisense oligonucleotides to correct chloride channel defects and identifying biomarkers like the Splice Index for disease progression. Education: MD from University of Iowa (1981) Fellowships: Neuromuscular Medicine (U of Rochester, 1989–1992) Research Lab: Investigates RNA toxicity mechanisms, channelopathies, and therapeutic strategies for DM1/DM2 Thornton has authored over 170 publications and holds patents on antisense therapies and splice biomarkers. His awards include the Carrell-Krusen Award (2013) and the Hans Steinert Award (2011).