Kate O'Connor-Giles

Kate O'Connor-Giles is a Provost's Professor of Brain Science at Brown University, affiliated with the Department of Neuroscience and the Carney Institute for Brain Science. Her research focuses on understanding synaptic communication and plasticity in neurons, employing advanced techniques like genetics, electrophysiology, and CRISPR-based genome engineering. She leads the O'Connor-Giles Lab, which develops innovative tools for studying synapses in vivo and contributes to open-access resources like the CRISPR Target Finder and FlyCRISPR platforms.

Her work bridges molecular mechanisms and functional outcomes, investigating how neurons build and modulate synaptic connections over time. Key areas include autophagy regulation at ER-lysosome interfaces, transcriptional control of synaptic genes, and the role of calcium channels in synaptic diversity. The lab’s CRISPR tools have significantly advanced Drosophila genetics research, enabling precise genome editing and homology-directed repair.

Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, from synaptic growth mechanisms to neurodegenerative pathways, emphasizing the interplay between molecular biology and neuronal function. Her lab’s reagents are shared via Addgene and the Drosophila Genomics Resource Center, fostering collaborative research globally.