Linnaea Ostroff

Linnaea Ostroff is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology & Neurobiology at the University of Connecticut, and serves as Faculty Director of the Bioscience EM Lab. Her research investigates the neuroanatomical basis of learning and memory, focusing on synaptic changes during emotional memory formation, particularly mechanisms that distinguish safety from danger. This work addresses the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders and PTSD.

Education:

• BA in Biology, Wellesley College
• PhD in Neuroscience, Boston University

Research:

• Uses 3D electron microscopy to study synaptic connectivity in the lateral amygdala, a brain region regulating fear and anxiety.
• Combines viral-vector tract tracing, immunohistochemistry, and behavioral pharmacology to analyze synapse dynamics.
• Explores local protein synthesis at synapses and sexual dimorphism in neural circuits.
• Develops new methods for molecular visualization in microscopy.

Her work bridges neuroscience and psychiatry, aiming to uncover structural mechanisms underlying fear regulation failures.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Ostroff Lab, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to synaptic neuroscience and translational research in mental health.