Jessica MacDonald

Jessica MacDonald is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences. She leads research investigating genetic and epigenetic mechanisms regulating neuronal development and function, particularly in neurodevelopmental and cognitive disorders. Her laboratory focuses on how transcriptional/epigenetic regulators mediate interactions between genes and environment.

Research areas include:

• Epigenetic control of neural differentiation
• Rett syndrome disease mechanisms and therapies
• Neocortical development in mouse models
• MicroRNA regulation in neural circuitry
• Vitamin D therapeutic effects on neurodevelopmental disorders

Her recent publications explore molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders using mouse models, transcriptional regulation in cortical development, and therapeutic interventions for genetic disorders. MacDonald teaches courses including Developmental Biology and Epigenetics of Health & Disease at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

She has secured research funding from organizations including the National Institutes of Health and Rettsyndrome.org for projects investigating restoration of homeostasis in Rett syndrome and neurodevelopmental disruption mechanisms.