Mary B. Kennedy

Mary B. Kennedy is the Allen and Lenabelle Davis Professor of Biology at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). She holds a B.S. from St. Mary's College (1969) and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University (1975). Her academic career at Caltech spans over four decades, progressing from Assistant Professor (1981–84) to Professor (1992–2002), and currently holds the Davis Professorship. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system, particularly the postsynaptic density (PSD) and its role in learning and memory.

Dr. Kennedy's laboratory investigates how biochemical signaling networks in synapses regulate synaptic strength and connectivity. Key projects include studying the SynGAP protein's role in intellectual disability and autism, modeling calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) dynamics using computational simulations, and exploring the structural organization of PSD proteins. Collaborations with computational biologists at the Salk Institute enhance her work on spatial models of synaptic signaling.

Her research highlights the interplay between genetic mutations (e.g., synGAP haploinsufficiency) and synaptic dysfunction, linking molecular mechanisms to neurological disorders. Techniques employed include mass spectrometry, electrophysiology, mouse genetics, and advanced microscopy. Her contributions bridge biochemistry and neuroscience, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding neural function.