Marla Feller

Marla Feller is the Paul Licht Distinguished Professor in Biological Sciences and Professor of Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. She is affiliated with the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, and Vision Sciences Program in the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science. Her research focuses on neural circuit development in the retina, particularly retinal waves and direction selectivity.

Her work examines how spontaneous activity during development shapes retinal circuits and glial morphology, as well as the role of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Feller’s lab employs techniques like two-photon imaging and electrophysiology to study synaptic connectivity and circuit assembly.

Recent findings include the impact of retinal waves on transcriptomic changes in ganglion cells and the mechanisms underlying directional preference in retinal circuits. She received the 2024 Sayer Vision Research Award from the National Eye Institute.

Advisees include PhD students Karina, Lamis, Raul, Samira, and Eugene, with lab activities spanning from basic research to community engagement through events like the Stand Up for Science rallies.