معرفی
Douglas S. Portman is a Professor at the University of Rochester, holding joint appointments in the Department of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Biology, and Department of Neuroscience. He leads the Portman Lab, which investigates how biological sex shapes neural circuit function and behavior using the C. elegans model. His work focuses on the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in neurobiology and disease susceptibility.
Education:
- PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Pennsylvania (1995)
- BA in Biochemistry with Honors, University of Pennsylvania (1988)
Research Interests: Dr. Portman explores how biological sex influences neural development, behavior, and disease vulnerability. His lab uses C. elegans to study sex-specific modulation of sensory circuits, decision-making, and behavioral prioritization. Key topics include the genetic control of sexual dimorphism, metabolomic differences between sexes, and the role of non-coding RNAs in developmental timing.
Recent Trends in Publications: Recent work highlights sex-specific responses to sensory cues, the role of PDFR-1 in pheromone avoidance, and the impact of food abundance on foraging behavior. Studies also reveal how neural circuits are reprogrammed to shape sexual behavior and how non-coding RNAs regulate developmental transitions.
Awards:
- 2025 Peter Shrager Award for Service to the Rochester Neuroscience Community
- NIGMS R35 MIRA Award (NIH)
Advising & Grants: Current advisees include graduate students Xi Kuang, Ryan Zhang, and Zack Ward, and undergrad Ember Johnson. His lab has secured funding from NIH for studies on neuroendocrine and neurodevelopmental disorders in C. elegans. Collaborations involve researchers in genetics, neuroscience, and metabolomics.
Labs/Teams: The Portman Lab is part of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience and the Center for Neurotherapeutics Discovery at URMC. Research focuses on integrating genetic, cellular, and behavioral approaches to understand sex-based neural plasticity.
