Marissa Scavuzzo

Marissa Scavuzzo is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences within the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Her research program focuses on enteric glial biology, investigating how these "second brain" cells regulate intestinal physiology and dysfunction. She combines genetics, stem cell, glial biology, and digestive system expertise to develop innovative technologies for mapping glial cell functions.

• Baldwin Wallace University - B.S. in Neuroscience and Biology
• Baylor College of Medicine - Ph.D. in Developmental Biology

Her scientific work addresses fundamental questions about cell fate regulation and homeostasis maintenance in dynamic environments. Key research areas include:

• Enteric nervous system structure and function
• Glial cell diversity and specialization
• Environmental response mechanisms in gut neurons
• Neurogastroenterology disease models
• Stem cell-based developmental studies

Marissa's research has established critical links between gut disturbances and neurological conditions like Parkinson's and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her lab develops sophisticated tools to study:

• Glial subtype functional states
• Intestinal motility coordination
• Microenvironment interactions in pancreas/intestine
• Regenerative responses in enteric neurons

She has received prestigious awards including:

• NYSCF Druckenmiller Fellowship
• HHMI Hanna H. Gray Fellowship
• 2024 Eppendorf & Science Prize for neurobiology
• Edith C. Robinson Award in developmental neuroscience
• Thomas Surrarrer Biology Award
• Deborah K. Martin Achievement Award in biomedical science

As part of the Institute for Glial Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, her lab receives support from:

• New York Stem Cell Foundation
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• Simons Foundation Autism Research
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Digestive Diseases Research Core