Baljit S. Khakh

Dr. Baljit S. Khakh is a Professor of Physiology and Neurobiology at the University of California Los Angeles, holding the prestigious Eleanor I. Leslie Chair of Neuroscience within the David Geffen School of Medicine. His laboratory is at the forefront of astrocyte research, investigating the critical roles these glial cells play in neural circuits, brain function, and neurological disorders.

Dr. Khakh's research focuses on astrocyte biology, with particular emphasis on calcium signaling, molecular characterization of astrocyte heterogeneity, and the role of astrocytes in neurological disorders including Huntington's disease and obsessive-compulsive disorder. His laboratory has developed innovative tools for studying astrocytes in vivo, including genetically encoded sensors and cell-type-specific targeting approaches that have revolutionized the field.

Analysis of Dr. Khakh's recent publications reveals a strong focus on astrocyte morphology, molecular diversity across brain regions, and functional roles in neural circuits. His work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to behavioral consequences, with publications in top-tier journals including Nature, Neuron, and Nature Neuroscience. The research demonstrates how astrocytes contribute to synaptic function, neural circuit regulation, and pathological conditions.

• Eleanor I. Leslie Chair of Neuroscience

Dr. Khakh leads multiple NIH-funded research projects, including an R35 Outstanding Investigator Award (NS111583) supporting fundamental astrocyte biology research through 2027. His laboratory trains numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with many publications featuring trainees as first authors. Current research directions include investigating astrocyte proteome dynamics in aging and Alzheimer's disease (R01AG075955), developing new tools for astrocyte targeting and characterization (R01DA047444), and studying astrocyte branchlet dysfunction in brain disorders (DP1MH104069).

Dr. Khakh's laboratory maintains strong collaborations across UCLA and with other institutions, focusing on developing and applying cutting-edge techniques for astrocyte research, including genetically encoded sensors, proximity-dependent biotinylation for subproteome analysis, and advanced imaging approaches to study astrocyte structure and function in vivo.