معرفی
Ellen J. Hoffman, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Child Study Center and the Department of Neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine. She holds a dual appointment and is actively involved in both research and clinical psychiatry, focusing on neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Associate Professor, Child Study Center (Primary)
- Associate Professor, Neuroscience (Secondary)
- Member, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience
- Member, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program
- Member, Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
- Member, Center for Brain & Mind Health
Education & Training:
- Ph.D., Investigative Medicine, Yale University (2014)
- Research Fellowship, Yale University (2011)
- Fellowship, Mount Sinai School of Medicine (2008)
- Residency, Mount Sinai School of Medicine (2006)
- M.D., Stony Brook School of Medicine (2003)
- B.S., SUNY at Stonybrook (1999)
Dr. Hoffman is a child psychiatrist, psychiatric geneticist, and neurobiologist whose research focuses on the functional analysis of genes associated with autism. Her work uses zebrafish models to investigate how gene disruptions alter brain development and neural circuits, aiming to identify biological pathways and novel pharmacological treatments. Her research interests include autistic disorder, child psychiatry, genetics, neurobiology, neuropharmacology, and translational biomedical research.
Her recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on translational precision medicine in autism, with studies on PTEN and KATNAL2 mutations affecting neural development, ciliary dynamics, and CSF flow. She employs high-throughput zebrafish screening and advanced imaging techniques like BREEZE-mapping to uncover convergent pathways in dopaminergic and neuroimmune signaling. Her work bridges molecular genetics with clinical applications, aiming to move from bench to bedside.
Scientific Awards:
- YCSC Faculty Development Fund Awardee (October 2024)
- YCSC Faculty Development Fund Awardee (April 2024)
Dr. Hoffman supervises research and mentors trainees through her lab, the Hoffman Lab, and clinical fellowships in child psychiatry. She has received focused research funding to catalyze impact in autism research. Her lab collaborates with frequent co-authors such as Abha Gupta, Marina Carlson, Thomas Fernandez, and Tyrone DeSpenza Jr.
She is affiliated with multiple interdisciplinary research centers, including the Kavli Institute for Neuroscience and the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, and contributes to translational research initiatives at Yale. Her lab utilizes the Yale Zebrafish Research Core, indicating strong integration with institutional research infrastructure.