معرفی
Mark VanBerkum is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, where he also serves as Director of the Neuroscience Program. His research focuses on developmental neurobiology, particularly axon guidance mechanisms in Drosophila embryos. He investigates intracellular signaling pathways involving Frazzled receptors, Abelson tyrosine kinase, and adhesion GPCRs to understand neural circuit formation.
Education
- B.Sc., University of Toronto, St. Michael's College (1983)
- M.Sc., University of Toronto, Department of Physiology (1985)
- Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine (1991)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Medical Research Council of Canada, University of California, Berkeley (1991-95)
- Joined Wayne State University faculty in 1995
Research Focus
Dr. VanBerkum's laboratory studies the molecular basis of axon pathfinding, examining how growth cones interpret guidance cues during neural development. Key research areas include: 1) Frazzled-Abelson kinase interactions in midline crossing decisions, 2) Calmodulin-dependent signaling in axon steering, 3) Adhesion GPCR functions in embryonic nerve cord formation, and 4) Cytoskeletal regulation through myosin light chain kinase. His work utilizes Drosophila genetics combined with biochemical and cellular approaches.
Grant Support
His research has been continuously funded by major agencies including:
- National Science Foundation (multiple awards totaling >$1M since 1997)
- Whitehall Foundation (1997-2000)
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society (2000 pilot grant)
- NIH/NICHD (2010 R03 award)
- Wayne State University Bridge Fund (2009-10)
Teaching
Dr. VanBerkum teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including Neural Signaling in Health and Disease (BIO5660/BIO7660), Neuroplasticity (BIO5890/BIO7890), Fundamentals of Cell Biology for Neuroscience (BIO2550), and Special Topics in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (BIO4895/NEU4895).
