Kevin Wright

Kevin Wright is an Associate Professor at the Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where he has worked since 2013, initially as an assistant scientist and promoted to scientist in 2020. His research focuses on neuronal development, axon guidance, and sensory circuits in the retina and dorsal root ganglia.

• Education:
  • B.S. in Neuroscience, Allegheny College (2001)
  • Ph.D. in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2006)
  • Postdoctoral Training, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute

Research Interests: Dr. Wright investigates how somatosensory and retinal circuits form during development, emphasizing molecular pathways like dystroglycan, β1-integrin, and Cas proteins. His work explores neuron subtype diversity, axon-dendrite organization, and implications in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Recent Trends: Recent publications highlight dystroglycan's role in synaptic organization, Cre-mediated gene deletion tools, and mechanoreceptor circuit formation. His studies span from molecular mechanisms (e.g., extracellular scaffolding proteins) to organism-level models (mouse retinal and cortical development).

Labs & Collaborations: He leads the Wright Lab at OHSU, collaborating on retinal ganglion cell axon sorting, cortical glial scaffolds, and neurodevelopmental disease models.