Baljit S Khakh

Dr. Baljit S. Khakh is a Professor of Neurobiology and Physiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. He holds the Eleanor I. Leslie Chair of Neuroscience and leads groundbreaking research on astrocyte biology, calcium signaling, and their roles in neural circuits and neurodegenerative diseases. His work integrates optical/genetic tools with proteomic and behavioral studies, funded by multiple NIH grants including R01, R35, and DP1 awards.

• Research Focus: Astrocyte diversity, calcium signaling, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's pathology, neural circuit modulation.
• Key Collaborations: Michael Sofroniew (UCLA), Loren Looger (Janelia), James Wohlschlegel (UCLA), Peyman Golshani (UCLA).
• Techniques: Genetically-encoded sensors, proximity biotinylation, in vivo calcium imaging, astrocyte-neuron interaction assays.

Scientific Awards:

• Eleanor I. Leslie Chair of Neuroscience