Lisa R. Merlin

Lisa R. Merlin is a Teaching Professor at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, affiliated with the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. Her research spans epileptogenesis, GABA and glutamate receptor dynamics, and medical curriculum reform.

• Education: MD (Medical Doctorate)

Research Interests: Merlin investigates the basic mechanisms of epileptogenesis, focusing on group I metabotropic glutamate receptors and α4βδ GABAA receptors in adolescent seizure susceptibility. Her work aims to identify preventive strategies for post-trauma/post-stroke epilepsy and educational innovations in neuroscience.

Article Trends: Recent collaborations center on systematic reviews in neurology, antiplatelet therapy, and longitudinal cognitive studies, reflecting her dual focus on clinical neuropharmacology and medical education.

• Scientific Awards: Clerkship Director Innovation Award

Grants & Collaborations: Work with NIH study sections, Bob Wong, and Sheryl Smith on receptor pathways and curriculum development. No explicit grants mentioned.

Labs & Teams: Collaborates with neurology and pharmacology teams at Downstate, including Peter Bergold and Michaelangelo Fuortes, on hippocampal excitability and epileptogenesis.