Graham Diering

Graham Diering is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine, affiliated with the UNC Neuroscience Center. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, particularly how sleep modifies synapses to support learning and memory. The lab uses mouse models of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, such as autism and Alzheimer’s disease, combined with techniques like biochemistry, proteomics, and animal behavior studies.

• Education: BSc in Biochemistry (University of British Columbia, 2006), PhD in Biochemistry (University of British Columbia, 2011), Postdoc in Neuroscience (Johns Hopkins University, 2017).
• Affiliations: UNC Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology.

Research Interests: The lab investigates sleep’s role in synaptic homeostasis, neurodevelopment, and neurodegeneration. Key projects include studying sleep disruption in Alzheimer’s models, synaptic vulnerabilities in early development, and the molecular pathways linking sleep to cognitive disorders. Techniques employed include primary neuron culture, Western blot, qPCR, and mouse behavior monitoring.

Publications: Recent work includes identifying sleep’s impact on synaptic scaling via Homer1a and Arc proteins, and the effects of sleep loss on developing synapses. Over 20 peer-reviewed articles highlight contributions to sleep neuroscience and synaptic biology.

Grants/Awards: Honors include the Eppendorf Science Prize Finalist (2017), Simons Foundation Bridge to Independence Award (2015), and multiple fellowships from CIHR and NSERC.

Labs/Teams: The Diering Lab hosts graduate students, postdocs, and technicians, emphasizing collaborative research in Chapel Hill’s vibrant neuroscience community. Current projects explore sleep’s role in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, with a focus on translational research for autism and Alzheimer’s therapies.