Akiko Nishiyama

Akiko Nishiyama is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology at the University of Connecticut. Her research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of NG2 glial cells (oligodendrocyte precursor cells), their interactions with neurons, and roles in CNS development and repair. She leads the Nishiyama Lab, utilizing mouse genetics, RNA sequencing, and advanced microscopy techniques. Her work is supported by NIH/NINDS and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program.

Education:

• M.D., Nippon Medical School
• Ph.D., Niigata University, Japan

Research Interests:

Her lab explores OPC lineage plasticity, neuron-glial communication, and the functional roles of OPCs beyond myelination. Techniques include super-resolution microscopy, whole-genome profiling, and behavioral analyses of mutant mice. Past contributions include defining OPC lineage restrictions and their interactions with microglia.

Funding & Awards:

• NIH/NINDS Grant
• EU Horizon 2020 Marie Curie Grant (NG2 Cells Project)

Lab & Team:

Key team members include long-term lab manager Youfen and PhD students Bobby Hill and Ethan Hughes. Recent milestones include a 2023 review in Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology and collaborative work on oligodendrocyte development in Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology.