Fumiaki Imamura

Fumiaki Imamura, PhD, MS is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics at Pennsylvania State University's Penn State Neuroscience Institute. His research program focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of olfactory system development and function.

Dr. Imamura's research interests center on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying olfactory dysfunctions in neurodegenerative disorders and the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating neuronal circuit formation in the developing brain. His work specifically investigates Olfactory Bulb Neuroscience, Mitral Cells, Mouse Olfactory Bulb, Projection Neurons, Olfactory Sensory Neuron, and Tufted Cell development and function.

Analysis of Dr. Imamura's recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a strong focus on olfactory system development, cellular signaling pathways in the olfactory bulb, and the impact of various factors (alcohol exposure, inflammation) on olfactory function. His work bridges basic neuroscience with potential clinical applications for understanding and treating olfactory dysfunctions.

Dr. Imamura has received recognition for his teaching excellence, including:

• Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2021)

Dr. Imamura has successfully secured significant research funding from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), including two major projects:

• Heterogeneity of mitral cell properties determined by the timing of neurogenesis (2017-2022)
• Molecular mechanisms regulating mitral cell development (2010-2015)

His laboratory employs advanced techniques including electroporation to study neuronal development in mouse models, with particular focus on the olfactory system as a model for understanding broader principles of neural circuit formation.