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Gisou van der GootView profile

Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Cellular Mechanisms of Bacterial Toxins
• Membrane Biology
• +3 more

Gisou van der Goot is a Full Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), heading the Cell and Membrane Biology Laboratory and co-founding the Institute of Infectious Diseases. Since 2021, she has served as Vice President for Responsible Transformation, driving EPFL’s shift toward inclusivity and sustainability. From 2014–2020, she was Dean of the School of Life Sciences. Her research focuses on bacterial toxin mechanisms, membrane organization, and organelle biology, with notable contributions to understanding protein palmitoylation and toxin-induced cellular responses. Prof. van der Goot holds a degree in engineering from École Centrale de Paris and a PhD in Molecular Biophysics from the CEA Saclay (Paris VI). Her postdoctoral work at EMBL Heidelberg further shaped her expertise. She has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the EMBO Young Investigator Award (2001), HHMI support (2005), and the Marcel Benoist Prize (2009). Her articles emphasize membrane dynamics, toxin mechanisms, and S-acylation’s role in cellular processes. Key themes include anthrax toxin function, hepatitis E virus pathogenesis, and mitochondrial S-depalmitoylation. She advises over a dozen doctoral students and contributes to scientific advisory boards for the Swiss National Science Foundation and ERC. Labs and teams under her leadership explore host-pathogen interactions and membrane biology, while her administrative roles reflect her commitment to institutional transformation and academic governance.

• Endocannabinoid Signaling
• Leptin
• Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
• +5 more

Associate Professor Deanne Hryciw is affiliated with Griffith University (Biomedical Sciences, Nathan Campus) and holds an honorary position at Victoria University's College of Health and Biomedicine . With a career spanning institutions including Johns Hopkins University, University of Queensland, Victoria University, and University of Melbourne, her research focuses on maternal nutrition, leptin signaling, and developmental programming of metabolic and renal diseases. Education: PhD in Cellular Physiology (University of South Australia, 2000) Research Evolution: Transitioned from renal chloride channel studies to endocannabinoid-obesity interactions and developmental origins of disease Her work reveals causal links between maternal linoleic acid intake and offspring metabolic/cardiovascular dysfunction, with current projects exploring mitochondrial adaptions , placental signaling , and photobiomodulation in osteoblasts. Recent publications span cell biology , neurodevelopment , and physiology education frameworks. Supervision highlights include mentoring 5 doctoral candidates and 3 masters students on topics ranging from maternal obesity to mitochondrial bioenergetics . Professional roles include Secretary of Australian Physiological Society , Vice President of DOHaD Society , and editorial contributions to Frontiers in Endocrinology and International Journal of Molecular Sciences . Grant activities demonstrate sustained funding from organizations like the Allen Foundation and Australian Council of Deans of Science , with international collaborations (Hong Kong Polytechnic University) and industry partnerships (Griffith Institute of Drug Discovery).

Natalie HauglundView profile

Research Fellow

• Neuroscience
• Sleep Medicine
• Glymphatic System
• +3 more

Natalie Hauglund is a Junior Research Fellow and Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics. She holds an MSc (2018) and PhD (2023) in neuroscience from the University of Copenhagen. Her research focuses on sleep's restorative functions, particularly the glymphatic system's role in brain cleaning and the interaction between sleep microstructure and neuronal populations. Her work employs advanced in vivo methods such as electrophysiology, fiber photometry, SPECT imaging, and miniscope imaging. Current projects investigate how sleep micro-awakenings contribute to sleep's restorative properties and cerebrospinal fluid interactions with sleep-regulating neurons. She has developed novel imaging techniques for glymphatic system analysis and machine learning approaches for sleep staging. Natalie's research bridges neurophysiology, fluid dynamics, and computational neuroscience, addressing fundamental questions about sleep's role in brain health and disease prevention. She has published extensively on topics ranging from norepinephrine regulation to astrocytic chloride dynamics, with a focus on translational applications in CNS drug delivery and hearing restoration.

• Neurosciences
• Genetics
• Bioinformatics
• +3 more

Dr. Seo-Kyung Chung is an Associate Professor in molecular neuroscience and genomics at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health, leading the Translational Neurogenomics Research Group at Kids Research, Children’s Hospital at Westmead. She is also affiliated with the Brain and Mind Centre. Her research focuses on pediatric neurological disorders, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as 3D brain organoids, bioinformatics, and functional genomics. She has extensive experience in identifying genetic variants linked to epilepsy syndromes, startle disorder (hyperekplexia), and LQTS syndrome, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications (h-index 35, 4,000+ citations). Dr. Chung holds a BSc (Hons 1st) from the University of Auckland and a PhD from Swansea University. She is a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and recipient of the prestigious Epilepsy Research UK Fellowship (2011–2014). Her work bridges clinical and experimental research, with a focus on developing novel methodologies for gene discovery and functional variant analysis. Education: BSc (Hons 1st), University of Auckland PhD in Neurogenomics, Swansea University Research Themes: Neurodevelopmental disorders Genetic epilepsy mechanisms Next-generation sequencing applications Her current projects include studying alternative splicing in brain development, functional characterization of genetic variants, and developing high-throughput analysis tools. She supervises research students and has trained over 27 PhD/Masters students and 20 visiting scholars. Collaborative grants include NHMRC funding for epilepsy and tubulinopathy research. Dr. Chung’s awards reflect her impact in epilepsy research, including the 2012 ‘Rising Star in Translational Epilepsy Research’ recognition. Her work has expanded understanding of rare genetic disorders and their molecular underpinnings, with clinical applications in precision medicine.

• Electrophysiology
• Calcium Signaling
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• +3 more

Agnieszka Dyrda is a Researcher at the School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia. Her work focuses on electrophysiological mechanisms, ion channel biology, and calcium signaling in contexts ranging from cardiac physiology to neurodegenerative diseases. She investigates channelopathies, store-operated calcium entry pathways, and the role of astrocytes in ALS/FTD pathogenesis. Her research also addresses red blood cell membrane dynamics and light-induced protein modifications. Key research themes include: Calcium channel dysfunction in cardiovascular and neuromuscular disorders SOCE mechanisms and STIM/TRPC interactions Neurodegenerative disease models involving astrocyte-motoneuron interactions Red blood cell ion channel regulation and membrane mechanics Her publications since 2009 reveal a consistent focus on ion channel dysfunction across multiple systems. Recent work (2023-2024) emphasizes cardiac channel mutations linked to sudden death syndromes, while ALS/FTD astrocyte studies (2022) highlight non-cell-autonomous toxicity mechanisms. Earlier studies (2010-2015) explored erythrocyte physiology and light-induced protein changes. No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. Her advising/grants section remains unpopulated due to lack of information. She is affiliated with the University of Western Australia's M204/M309 labs but no specific teams/labs were detailed.

Balyn ZaroView profile

Assistant Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Innate Immunity
• Proteomics
• +5 more

Overview Balyn Zaro, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Pharmacy. His research focuses on chemical biology and proteomics to study innate immunity and drug discovery. He leads the Zaro Lab, which develops novel techniques to investigate macrophage biology, host-pathogen interactions, and covalent inhibitors. Education and Background Zaro earned his PhD in chemical biology from the University of Southern California (USC), followed by postdoctoral training at Scripps Research Institute and Stanford University. His work spans chemical reporter development, innate immunity mechanisms, and the molecular basis of disease. Research Interests Key areas include: Covalent inhibitor design using chemical proteomics Pathogen-encoded 'don’t eat me' signals (e.g., Borrelia burgdorferi’s P66) Tumor-associated macrophage dysfunction in cancer Proteomic analysis of immune cell function Publications and Trends Recent work highlights discoveries like the CD47 mimic P66 and macrophage phagocytosis mechanisms. His lab’s proteomic approaches reveal novel insights into immune signaling and drug targets. Awards and Funding Recipient of the 2020 Mary Anne Koda-Kimble Seed Award for Innovation , supporting early-stage research. Collaborations span immunology, structural biology, and translational medicine. Lab and Mentoring Zaro mentors graduate students and postdocs in interdisciplinary research. Current lab members include Regan Volk, José Montaño, and Sara Casebeer. The lab emphasizes innovation and collaboration, with projects addressing both fundamental and applied biomedical questions. Labs and Teams The Zaro Lab is part of UCSF’s Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, leveraging cutting-edge facilities for proteomics, chemical synthesis, and cell biology. Collaborations include work on EMC chaperones and Lyme disease pathogenesis.

Yong XuView profile

Professor

• Neural Circuits
• Metabolism
• Energy Homeostasis
• +3 more

Yong Xu is a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, holding positions in the Department of Pediatrics and the Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC), where he serves as Associate Director for Basic Sciences. He also holds a secondary professorship in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Dr. Xu earned his M.D. from Tongji Medical University and his Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. His research focuses on neural circuits regulating metabolism, energy balance, and glucose homeostasis, utilizing advanced techniques like optogenetics and mouse modeling. Key projects include studying estrogen receptor-α neurons in glucose regulation and the role of nuclear receptor coactivators in obesity and diabetes. His lab has identified circuits linking motion sickness to metabolic balance and uncovered mechanisms behind serotonin's role in memory and feeding behavior. Education: MD (Tongji Medical University), PhD (University of Alberta). Professional Statement: Dr. Xu's work integrates genetic models with electrophysiology to dissect neural networks controlling metabolism. Current projects explore estrogen's effects on energy homeostasis, nuclear receptor coactivators in obesity, and serotonin's regulation of feeding and memory. Awards: Not explicitly listed for Dr. Xu himself, but lab members like Dr. Mengjie Wang have received accolades. Grants: Funded by NIH grants (e.g., R01 DK117281, P01 DK113954) and USDA/CRIS projects. Labs/Teams: Leads the CNRC-based lab with a multidisciplinary team of postdocs and researchers. Future Work: Expanding studies on neural circuits in metabolic disorders and translational applications of mouse models.

Jijie PangView profile

Associate Professor

• Retinal Neurophysiology
• Retinal Ion Channels and Synaptic Circuitry
• Mechanosensitive Channels in Retinal Pathology
• +3 more

Jijie Pang, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine, located in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on retinal visual signaling, exploring retinal neurons (photoreceptors, bipolar cells, amacrine cells, and ganglion cells) using advanced techniques like patch-clamp electrophysiology, genetic engineering, and microscopy. He investigates mechanosensitive ion channels' roles in normal retinal function and diseases such as glaucoma and retinal injury. Education: M.D. and Ph.D. from Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China Postdoctoral Fellowships in Neurology and Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine Research Interests: His work emphasizes retinal neuronal circuitry, ion channel dynamics, and pressure-related retinal disorders. Key projects include characterizing light-evoked activities in retinal neurons and studying glaucoma pathogenesis through intraocular pressure models. Professional Memberships: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Society for Neuroscience Royal Society of Medicine (London) Recent Research Trends: Publications highlight investigations into retinal dysfunction in glaucoma, synaptic inputs in ganglion cells, and challenges to traditional retinal circuit models. Techniques include multi-cell patch-clamp recordings and immunohistochemical analysis.

• Biochemistry
• Biophysics
• Cardiovascular Sciences
• +5 more

Susan L. Hamilton, Ph.D., is a Professor and L. F. McCollum Chair in Molecular Physiology at Baylor College of Medicine's Department of Integrative Physiology. She is also a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on skeletal muscle physiology, particularly excitation-contraction coupling, ryanodine receptors (RyR1), and L-type Ca²⁺ channels in disease contexts like malignant hyperthermia and central core disease. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a B.S. from Indiana University. Her lab employs multidisciplinary approaches, including biochemistry, imaging, and animal models, to study muscle metabolism and Ca²⁺ signaling pathways. Funding sources include the NIH, American Heart Association, and Muscular Dystrophy Association. Recent work highlights therapeutic strategies for RyR1-linked disorders and the role of calcium channels in metabolic regulation. Education : Ph.D., University of Colorado School of Medicine; B.S., Indiana University Labs/Teams : Hamilton Lab (focusing on muscle disease mechanisms and metabolism) Grants/Funding : NIH, AHA, MDA

Jeannie ChinView profile

Professor

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Epilepsy
• Neurodegenerative Disorders
• +4 more

Jeannie Chin, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine. She holds a BA/BS in Zoology/Biology from the University of Texas, Austin, a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and completed postdoctoral training at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and UCSF. Her research focuses on understanding cellular and network mechanisms underlying cognitive impairments in Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders, combining biochemistry, molecular biology, in vivo physiology, and behavioral paradigms. Key interests include activity-dependent epigenetic regulation, neural stem cell dynamics, and corticothalamic network dysfunction. Recent work highlights therapeutic strategies targeting ΔFosB, Tiam1, and thalamic activity to improve cognition and reduce disease progression. Dr. Chin’s lab is part of the Memory & Brain Research Center at BCM, and she serves as Deputy Editor for a scientific journal. Education: Postdoctoral Training: Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and UCSF (2007) PhD: University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Neuroscience, 2001) BA/BS: University of Texas, Austin (Zoology/Biology, 1994) Research interests emphasize linking cellular alterations to memory deficits in mouse models of AD using EEG, biochemical assays, and viral gene expression. Her lab investigates molecular mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction and identifies therapeutic entry points. Notable contributions include studies on PTEN mutations, Aβ-induced neuronal activity, and corticothalamic network dysfunction. Awards include the Deputy Editor role, reflecting her leadership in neuroscience publishing. Advising includes graduate students (Joseph Campbell, Pei-Yun Chuang, Yoshitaka Furuta) and MD/PhD candidates (Corey St. Romain). Collaborative grants focus on Alzheimer’s and epilepsy, with ongoing work on molecular MRI probes and interventional strategies to restore cognition. The Chin Lab’s interdisciplinary approach bridges basic science and clinical applications, aiming to translate discoveries into therapies for neurological diseases.

Mingshan XueView profile

Associate Professor

• Cortical Circuit Function
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Gene Therapy
• +6 more

Dr. Mingshan Xue is an Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, holding appointments in the Departments of Neuroscience and Molecular and Human Genetics. He is affiliated with the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute and the Cain Foundation Laboratories. His research focuses on synaptic mechanisms underlying neural circuit function, with a particular emphasis on neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy and autism. Dr. Xue’s work combines molecular, electrophysiological, and computational approaches to study synaptic excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance, genetic causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, and gene therapy strategies. Education: PhD (Baylor College of Medicine), Postdoctoral Fellowship (UC San Diego), BS (Fudan University) Affiliations: Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute Research interests include: Mechanisms of E/I ratio regulation in cortical circuits Mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., STXBP1 encephalopathy) Development of optogenetic tools and deep-learning algorithms for EEG analysis Key achievements include the creation of STXBP1 mouse models and the development of antisense oligonucleotide therapies for Angelman syndrome. His lab has received funding from NIH, McKnight Foundation, and the Whitehall Foundation, among others. Awards: McKnight Scholar Award (2018), NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2016), Caroline DeLuca Scholar (2014). Current students and postdocs are actively involved in projects spanning synaptic physiology, gene therapy, and neurotechnology development. The lab collaborates with clinical teams to translate findings into therapeutic strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Jeffrey L NoebelsView profile

Professor

• Neurogenetics
• Epilepsy
• Neurological Disorders
• +3 more

Jeffrey L Noebels, M.D., Ph.D., holds the Cullen Trust for Health Care Endowed Chair in Neurogenetics and serves as Professor in Neurology, Neuroscience, and Molecular & Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine. He directs the Blue Bird Circle Developmental Neurogenetics Laboratory and participates in graduate programs in Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences and Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine. Education includes a BA from Reed College (1972), MD from Yale University (1981), PhD from Stanford University (1977), residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston), and postdoctoral training at Harvard University (1983). Certifications include Neurology from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Research focuses on gene regulation of neuronal excitability and inherited neurological diseases, particularly epilepsy and Alzheimer's. His lab uses mouse models to study ion channel mutations, synaptic plasticity, and network synchronization defects. Key advances include discoveries of epilepsy-linked mouse mutants (e.g., stargazer) and identification of Zn transporters' neuroprotective roles. Recent work explores Alzheimer's hyperexcitability mechanisms and translational genomic studies of ion channel genes in epilepsy. Major projects include a NIH-funded Human Channelopathy Project analyzing ion channel variants and a Center studying neurocardiac risk prediction. His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, addressing disease mechanisms in epilepsy, sudden death syndromes, and cognitive impairments. Lab activities employ electrophysiology, 2-photon imaging, and genomic tools to dissect network dysfunction. Collaborations with the Baylor Human Genome Sequencing Center highlight commitment to large-scale genomic research in neurological disorders.

• Voltage-gated ion channel research
• Epilepsy mechanisms
• Neurogenetics
• +4 more

Edward C Cooper, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Molecular & Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine. His research focuses on understanding ion channel dysfunction in epilepsy and psychiatric disorders, particularly the role of KCNQ2/3 potassium channels in axonal excitability. He leads a multidisciplinary lab investigating genetic mechanisms of epilepsy, including KCNQ2 encephalopathy and ANK3-related psychiatric conditions. Dr. Cooper’s work integrates molecular, electrophysiological, and computational approaches, with translational goals to develop therapies for channelopathies. Education: PhD in Cellular and Molecular Physiology (Yale University, 1991), MD (Yale University, 1990), Neurology residency at UCSF (1994), and postdoctoral training at UC San Francisco (2002). Research Interests: Voltage-gated sodium/potassium channels in epilepsy, KCNQ2/3 channelopathies, ANK3’s role in psychiatric disorders, axonal ion channel targeting, and molecular evolution of ion channel systems. Key projects include the KCNQ2/3 case registry and variant curation efforts. Lab & Funding: The Cooper Lab is supported by NINDS, CURE Epilepsy, and the American Epilepsy Society. Collaborations span basic science, clinical research, and translational medicine, with a focus on developing treatments for channelopathy-related conditions.

Atul MaheshwariView profile

Associate Professor

• Epilepsy
• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• +4 more

Atul Maheshwari, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine. His research focuses on epilepsy mechanisms, brain oscillations, and comorbidities such as ADHD. He completed his MD at Baylor College of Medicine and a BA at Rice University, followed by postdoctoral training. His work explores neuronal circuits in epilepsy using mouse models and clinical studies. Education: Internal Medicine MD (Baylor College of Medicine, 2006), BA (Rice University, 2002) Training: Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship (Baylor College of Medicine), Epilepsy Residency (Massachusetts General/Brigham and Women's Hospitals), Neurology Internship (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) Research interests include thalamocortical microcircuits, interneuron dysfunction, and neuronal oscillations in epilepsy and ADHD. His recent studies investigate how brain oscillations develop abnormally in these conditions, aiming to improve treatments. Over 30 peer-reviewed articles highlight his contributions to epilepsy pathophysiology and clinical neurophysiology. Notably, he developed a neurologist-initiated psychoeducation program for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and identified novel roles for KCNQ2/3 potassium channels in seizure mechanisms. His lab collaborates with Jeffrey Noebels, leveraging mouse models to study genetic epilepsy syndromes.

• Spreading Depolarization
• Epilepsy
• Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
• +3 more

Isamu Aiba, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico. His research focuses on spreading depolarization, epilepsy mechanisms, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), and autonomic dysfunction. Key contributions include elucidating the role of spreading depolarization in SUDEP and identifying molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy. Education: PhD in Neuroscience from the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) Research Interests: Spreading depolarization dynamics and their clinical implications in epilepsy and SUDEP Molecular and cellular mechanisms of seizure initiation and propagation Autonomic nervous system interactions with brain pathology Novel therapeutic targets for epilepsy and SUDEP prevention Awards & Funding: Career Development Award (American Heart Association) Junior Investigator Research Award (American Epilepsy Society, 2021–2022) Grants & Collaborations: Investigates adrenergic signaling in cardiac preganglionic neurons Develops CRISPR-based glioblastoma models to study tumor-induced epileptogenesis Explores fenfluramine’s inhibitory effects on cortical spreading depolarization