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Brent BillView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Neuroscience
• +3 more

Brent Bill is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler). His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics from the University of Minnesota (2008), an M.S. in Biotechnology, and a B.S. in Biology from Illinois State University (2002 and 1999 respectively). Prior to his current role, he held positions as a Postdoctoral Researcher at UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience (2008–2014) and a Lecturer at UCLA's Department of Life Sciences (2014). Bill’s research focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, zebrafish models, and genetic mechanisms underlying behaviors and neurological conditions. He has pioneered studies using zebrafish to investigate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk genes like CNTNAP2 and CYFIP1, as well as Parkinson’s disease modeling through dopamine pathway studies. His work integrates molecular genetics, behavioral assays, and bioengineering approaches. Notable contributions include developing tools for optic fissure closure assessment and characterizing virus-like particle (VLP) toxicity. His research spans topics from neuropharmacology (nicotinic receptors) to environmental engineering (graywater treatment systems). Labs/Teams: Bill has been affiliated with UCLA’s Center for Autism Research and Treatment under Dr. Daniel Geschwind’s mentorship. His UT Tyler lab likely continues neurobehavioral and developmental studies using zebrafish systems. Advising & Grants: His postdoctoral work was supported by the AP Giannini Foundation (2009–2012). He advises students through UT Tyler’s undergraduate courses in Cell Biology and Developmental Biology, emphasizing hands-on lab training and genetics education.

Shelly Alexandra BuffingtonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Environmental Health
• Gut Microbiome
• +3 more

Shelly Alexandra Buffington, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine. She holds dual affiliations within the Department of Neuroscience and the Center for Precision Environmental Health. Her work focuses on maternal gut microbiome dynamics and their intergenerational impacts on neurodevelopmental health, integrating neuroscience, microbiology, and immunology. Education: Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine (2012) B.S. in Biophysical Chemistry, University of Arkansas (2007) Research Interests: Maternal environmental exposures and their effects on offspring neurodevelopment Host-microbe interactions in the gut-brain axis Therapeutic targeting of maternal microbiome dysbiosis Mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorder etiology Grant Activities: NIH/NICHD R01 HD109095: Targeting opportunistic pathogens for maternal obesity-related outcomes (2022–2027) John S. Dunn Foundation Award: Maternal high-fat diet's epigenetic reprogramming of offspring brain (2022–2024) NIH/NICHD R01 HD109780: Maternal gut microbiota in fetal neurodevelopmental programming (2023–2028) Scientific Awards: Deputy Editor (honor added to awards section) Her lab employs an interdisciplinary approach using functional multi-OMICs to study microbially-derived metabolites, immune signaling modulation during pregnancy, and vertical microbiota transmission. Current projects aim to translate findings into antenatal interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders. She also holds a method patent (BAYMP0183US.P1) co-invented with Mauro Costa-Mattioli.

Joshua M ShulmanView profile

Professor

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Parkinson's Disease
• Functional Genomics
• +7 more

Joshua M Shulman, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, where he holds joint appointments in Neurology, Neuroscience, and Molecular & Human Genetics. He is also an Investigator at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (DNRI) at Texas Children’s Hospital and Co-Director of the DNRI. His research integrates human genetics, functional genomics, and Drosophila model systems to study Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, focusing on genetic mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and aging. Dr. Shulman’s education includes a Medicine MD from Harvard Medical School (2005) and a PhD in Biochemical Sciences from the University of Cambridge (2000). He completed postdoctoral training in neurogenetics and clinical fellowships in movement disorders at Harvard-affiliated institutions. His research interests include: functional genomics of neurodegenerative diseases, integrative genetic analyses in humans and Drosophila, endolysosomal sorting pathways, RNA metabolism, and translational applications of genomic data. Recent work emphasizes longitudinal omics studies in disease models and precision medicine through whole-genome sequencing in clinical settings. Publications highlight advancements in tauopathy mechanisms, lysosomal dysfunction, and cross-species validation of Alzheimer’s risk genes. His team’s work bridges basic and clinical research, with implications for therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative diseases.

Lun-Ching ChangView profile

Associate Professor

• Statistical Genetics
• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• +6 more

Dr. Lun-Ching Chang is an Associate Professor and Statistics Advisor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Florida Atlantic University. He holds a Ph.D. in Biostatistics from the University of Pittsburgh (2014). His research focuses on statistical genetics, bioinformatics, and computational biology with particular emphasis on developing novel methodologies for analyzing high-throughput genomic data. Key contributions include copy number variant detection algorithms (HCMMCNVs), microbiome analysis frameworks (wiSDOM), and integrative omics approaches for cancer research. Research interests span genotype-phenotype correlations in diseases like cancer, chronic kidney disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Collaborative work includes psychiatric studies (e.g., DA3 scale development), clinical trial methodologies, and precision medicine applications. Recent studies highlight microbiome-gut-brain interactions and molecular aging biomarkers. Publications emphasize both methodological advancements (e.g., meta-analysis pipelines) and translational research (e.g., biomarker discovery in chronic diseases). Active in software development for bioinformatics, including R packages for genomic data integration. Advises interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of statistics, computational biology, and clinical research.

Michael J HawkenView profile

Professor

• Visual Perception
• Neural Circuits
• Connectomics
• +4 more

Michael J. Hawken is a Professor of Neural Science at New York University's College of Arts & Science. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Otago. His research focuses on understanding how visual perception arises from neural circuits in the primate visual cortex, combining connectomics, functional characterization of receptive fields, and computational modeling. Key areas include neuronal population dynamics, functional clustering in cortical layers, and long-range circuit motifs. Research emphasizes structural connectomics (e.g., thalamic inputs to V1 layer 4C), functional clustering of neurons in layer 6, and computational models simulating cortical dynamics. Collaborations with NYU mathematicians have produced large-scale models of V1 layers, exploring direction selectivity and feedforward information flow. Publications span over three decades, with recent work in Journal of Neuroscience , PNAS , and Current Opinion in Physiology . His studies bridge neurophysiology and theory, addressing how cortical circuits underpin visual perception. Notable contributions include defining laminar distributions of neuronal subtypes (Kv3.1b, PV) and identifying functional clusters through multi-dimensional stimulus analysis. Ongoing projects extend findings to human cortex to compare macaque-human homologies.

Toshihide HigeView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience
• Synaptic Plasticity
• +3 more

Toshihide Hige is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, affiliated with the Department of Cell Biology & Physiology and the Integrative Program for Biological & Genome Sciences (iBGS) . His research focuses on understanding how neural circuits integrate synaptic plasticity to enable flexible behavioral responses in fruit flies. He holds a Ph.D. from Kyoto University (Japan) and conducted postdoctoral research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Janelia Research Campus. His lab combines in vivo electrophysiology , two-photon imaging , and genetic tools to study learning and decision-making in Drosophila . Key interests include dopamine circuitry, olfactory conditioning, and the molecular basis of synaptic plasticity. The lab is part of a vibrant neuroscience community in Chapel Hill, collaborating across disciplines. Recent work highlights roles for dopaminergic feedback circuits in value-based decisions (2025), hierarchical architecture enabling second-order conditioning (2023), and synaptic plasticity mechanisms in mushroom body circuits (2015–2024). While no formal awards are listed, his publications reflect sustained contributions to systems neuroscience. Current advisees include Chad Heer (Postdoc) and Debapriya Ghosh (Graduate Student) , with past members spanning postdocs, technicians, and visiting scholars. The lab actively recruits new researchers through the QBio and BBSP programs.

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Stem Cell Research
• +4 more

Biju Thomas, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Research Ophthalmology at the University of Southern California. His work focuses on retinal regeneration , neural stimulation , and vision restoration through advanced technologies like ultrasound neurostimulation and stem cell therapies . Recent research highlights include: Using ultrasound arrays for high-resolution retinal stimulation Developing stem cell-derived retinal grafts to repair degenerative damage Exploring electrical stimulation to enhance photoreceptor survival Investigating epigenetic changes in degenerating retinas His publications span biomedical engineering , neuroscience , and ophthalmic research , addressing challenges in retinal transplantation, functional recovery, and noninvasive neuromodulation.

Todd C HolmesView profile

Professor

• Neural Circuit Mapping
• Synaptic Connectivity
• Visual Cortex
• +3 more

Todd C. Holmes, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine. His research focuses on the structural and functional organization of neural circuits, particularly in the visual cortex and hippocampus. Dr. Holmes employs advanced techniques like laser scanning photostimulation and viral tracing to map synaptic connectivity, emphasizing the balance between excitatory and inhibitory inputs in cortical microcircuits. His work has revealed layer-specific synaptic wiring diagrams and redefined understanding of how inhibitory connections mirror excitatory pathways in the mouse visual cortex (V1). Dr. Holmes is affiliated with the UCI Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, contributing to interdisciplinary studies on Alzheimer’s disease models, optogenetic tools, and neurovascular interactions. He has secured funding from NIH grants (e.g., MH105427, R01NS095355) and collaborates on projects involving genetic engineering and high-resolution brain imaging techniques. His research extends to circadian rhythms, Drosophila neurobiology, and neuropsychiatric disorder models, leveraging transgenic approaches and behavioral analyses. Recent studies explore microglia’s role in synaptic connectivity and the application of novel viral vectors for circuit tracing.

Marco DaddaView profile

Associate Professor

• Animal Cognition
• Behavioral Asymmetries
• Lateralized Brain Functions
• +3 more

Marco Dadda is an Associate Professor at the Department of General Psychology, University of Padova. His research focuses on the evolution of behavioral asymmetries and lateralized brain functions in vertebrates, alongside studies on animal cognition. He investigates mechanisms underlying perception, learning, and decision-making in species like zebrafish, guppies, and plants. Key interests include lateralization costs/benefits, numerical cognition in fish, and environmental enrichment effects. Research highlights include groundbreaking work on plant communication via volatile compounds and perceptual completion in pea plants. His studies on zebrafish explore early learning, anxiety modulation through environmental factors, and operant conditioning methodologies. He also examines laterality's role in spatial navigation and simultaneous task performance across species. Publications consistently bridge behavioral biology with neuroethology, emphasizing cross-species comparisons (e.g., plant-fish cognition parallels). Ongoing work investigates how developmental experiences (light exposure, predation cues) shape lateralization patterns and cognitive capabilities. His lab employs innovative tools like automated behavioral tracking systems and minimally invasive testing protocols for neonatal fish.

Alex NordView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroengineering
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Gene Regulatory Networks
• +3 more

Alex Nord is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at the University of California, Davis. His primary affiliation is within the Center for Neuroscience and the School of Medicine. Nord’s research focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, gene regulatory networks, and the intersection of genomics with psychiatric and neurological conditions. His work integrates molecular, genetic, and systems-level approaches to understand brain development and dysfunction. Key research interests include the molecular mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Nord’s lab employs transgenic mouse models, genomic sequencing, and functional genomics to study enhancer activity, transcriptional networks, and epigenetic regulation. His recent work has explored the role of genes like CHD8, SYNGAP1, and DLX in neurodevelopmental pathways. Publications from 2022-2025 highlight advancements in therapeutic LSD analog design, molecular pathways in autism, and the impact of genetic mutations on neuronal function. Nord’s team collaborates on translational projects, including AAV-based gene therapy approaches for neurological disorders. His lab is affiliated with the Genome Center and the School of Medicine, emphasizing interdisciplinary research in neuroscience and genomics. While no specific awards are listed, Nord’s contributions to neurodevelopmental genomics have advanced understanding of gene-environment interactions and translational therapeutics. Ongoing work includes longitudinal studies of traumatic brain injury and maternal immune activation effects on neurodevelopment.

W. Martin UsreyView profile

Professor

• Systems Neuroscience
• Sensory Neuroscience
• Visual Processing
• +3 more

W. Martin Usrey is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at the University of California, Davis, and affiliated with the Center for Neuroscience. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying attention, cognition, and emotion, with a strong emphasis on systems and sensory neuroscience. Current research explores thalamocortical interactions, corticogeniculate feedback, and visual signal processing. Key contributions include studies on beta-band oscillations, stimulus contrast effects, and parallel neural pathways in primates. Research trends from recent publications reveal a focus on corticothalamic feedback dynamics, temporal integration in visual pathways, and computational approaches to predictive coding. Subfields include gamma oscillations, burst activity modulation, and synaptic efficacy in retinogeniculate communication. Lab activities include mentoring PhD students like Alyssa Sanchez and Scottie, as well as collaborative projects on multimodal brain research (e.g., BRAIN EAGER grant).

Bernardo RudyView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neurophysiology
• Molecular Neuroscience
• +6 more

Bernardo Rudy is a Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, and holds the Julius Raynes Professorship of Neuroscience and Physiology in the Department of Neuroscience at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He earned his PhD from Cambridge University and MD from the National University of Mexico. His research focuses on the organization and function of neocortical circuits, emphasizing how neuronal activity regulates behavior through cortical circuits, ion channels, and neuromodulation. Research interests include the role of GABAergic interneurons in shaping cortical information processing, mechanisms of cholinergic modulation in sensory perception and learning, and top-down/bottom-up integration in neocortical layer 1. His lab employs electrophysiology, optogenetics, imaging, and genetic techniques in vitro and in vivo. Recent work investigates layer 1 interneuron subtypes, the impact of cholinergic projections from the nucleus basalis, and the functional diversity of cortical inhibitory circuits. Collaborations with teams like Machold, Buzsáki, and Fishell highlight multidisciplinary approaches to neural circuitry. Lab: Rudy Lab . No scientific awards explicitly listed.

Richard E. CarsonView profile

Professor

• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging
• Tracer Kinetic Modeling
• Medical Imaging Physics
• +7 more

Richard E. Carson is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Yale University, with additional appointments in Radiology & Biomedical Imaging. He leads the Yale Positron Emission Tomography Center, focusing on advancing PET imaging technologies and their clinical applications. His research integrates quantitative modeling, physics, and biology to measure in vivo physiology, particularly synaptic density, receptor binding, and metabolic processes in neuropsychiatric disorders, diabetes, cardiology, and oncology. Dr. Carson holds a Ph.D. from UCLA and has pioneered methods for tracer kinetic modeling, image reconstruction, and motion correction. His work with the NeuroEXPLORER PET scanner aims to revolutionize brain imaging with 10x higher sensitivity. Notable contributions include developing SV2A PET tracers for synaptic density quantification and establishing standardized nomenclature for PET biomarkers. His research spans from preclinical models to clinical trials, addressing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, mood disorders, and cancer. Awards include the 2024 Image of the Year for groundbreaking brain imaging. Ongoing projects explore synaptic density’s role in depression, drug efficacy in neurodegenerative diseases, and novel radiopharmaceuticals for diabetes and oncology.

Adnane AchourView profile

Professor

• Immunology
• Structural Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Professor Adnane Achour is a faculty member at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Medicine, Solna, leading the Structural and Biophysical Immunology research group. He obtained his PhD in 2001 from Karolinska Institutet, focusing on structural studies of MHC class I complexes. His research integrates structural biology, biophysics, and immunology to understand pathogen-derived virulence factors and design immunotherapeutic strategies. Key areas include MHC-peptide interactions, SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms, and vaccine development. He has held senior positions, including a Swedish Research Council Rådsforkare (2008–2014), and directs a national mass-cytometry platform. His work spans over 150 publications, with recent focus on viral immune escape, cancer immunotherapy, and structural insights into protein dynamics.

Sylvia VilleneuveView profile

Associate Professor

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Neuroimaging
• Aging
• +4 more

Sylvia Villeneuve is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University and holds the Canada Research Chair in Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease (Tier 2). She leads the Multimodal imaging of the aging brain lab at the Douglas Research Centre, affiliated with the Aging, Cognition, and Alzheimer’s Disease theme-based group. Her research focuses on using MRI and PET neuroimaging to identify cerebral markers for early Alzheimer’s disease detection, study disease mechanisms, and assess risk/protective factors like vascular health and nutrition. Education: PhD from Université de Montréal (2011), followed by postdoctoral fellowships at UC Berkeley (2011–2014) and Northwestern University (2014–2015). She joined McGill in 2015 and is a member of the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec. Research Interests : Alzheimer’s early detection, multimodal neuroimaging (MRI/PET), biomarker development, vascular-cognitive interactions, and preclinical disease progression. Her lab integrates structural/functional imaging, amyloid/tau PET, neuropsychological testing, and vascular assessments to track disease trajectories. Key Achievements : Over 40 peer-reviewed publications, including high-impact studies in Brain and JAMA Neurology . Recognized with awards such as the Human Amyloid Imaging Young Investigator Award (2014) and CIHR Brain Star Award (2012). Leads the PREVENT-AD Cohort and recent grants include Weston funding for sleep-Alzheimer’s links (2024). Team : Supervises graduate students Alexa Pichet Binette and Jacob Vogel. Collaborates on initiatives like the Stop-AD Centre (FRQ-funded) and SCARF2 biomarker studies.