Don B. Arnold

Don B. Arnold is a Professor of Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, and Quantitative and Computational Biology at the University of Southern California's Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on understanding how information is encoded in synapses, with particular emphasis on memory formation mechanisms and synaptic plasticity.

Dr. Arnold received his B.A. in Engineering Physics from the University of Toronto in 1986 and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1992. Following postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University and Harvard University, he joined USC as an Assistant Professor in 1999, progressing to Associate Professor in 2007 and full Professor in 2013.

His laboratory has pioneered innovative technologies including FingRs (Fibronectin intrabodies generated by mRNA display) for visualizing and ablating synaptic connections in living organisms, and ATLAS for anterograde transsynaptic tracing. These tools enable groundbreaking research on how synapses change during memory formation, particularly in relation to maladaptive memories associated with PTSD and addiction.

Analysis of Dr. Arnold's recent publications reveals a strong focus on synaptic mechanisms of memory, with an increasing emphasis on in vivo imaging techniques, zebrafish models, and translational applications for neurological and psychiatric disorders. His work bridges molecular neuroscience, cellular biology, and behavioral neuroscience.

Scientific Awards

• McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience (2011-2012)
• NIH/NSF Career Development Award (2004)
• Independent Scientist Award, National Institute of Mental Health (2004)

Dr. Arnold has successfully secured over $15 million in research funding, including major awards from NIH, the Human Frontiers Science Program, and the McKnight Foundation. He mentors multiple graduate students and research associates in his laboratory, where they investigate synaptic mechanisms using cutting-edge molecular and imaging techniques. His lab has developed transformative tools that are now widely adopted in neuroscience research.

The Arnold Laboratory maintains active collaborations with researchers across USC and internationally, focusing on developing and applying novel technologies to understand synaptic function in health and disease. Current projects emphasize the visualization and manipulation of synapses during memory formation, with potential applications for treating disorders involving maladaptive memories.