Matthew Weston

Matthew Weston, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience within the College of Science. He leads the Weston Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, focusing on genetic epilepsies and synaptic transmission mechanisms. His work leverages mouse models of Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEEs) to study how KCNT1, PTEN, and DNM1 mutations disrupt brain activity balance.

• Collaborates with Wayne Frankel (Columbia University) on KCNT1 mouse models
• Receives Actio Biosciences support for KCNT1 inhibitor trials
• Serves on KCNT1 Epilepsy Foundation Scientific Advisory Board

His research program combines patch-clamp electrophysiology, in vivo Ca++ imaging, and multicellular circuit analysis to identify cell-type-specific mechanisms in epilepsy pathogenesis. Recent work explores gene therapy approaches and pharmacological interventions for treatment-resistant seizures.

Key scientific awards include:

• K99 Pathway to Independence Award (NIH/NINDS, 2014)
• American Epilepsy Society Young Investigator Workshop Invited Speaker (2014)
• CURE Young Investigator Travel Award (2014)
• Epilepsy Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2013-2014)

Lab members include:

• Dr. Amy Shore (Research Scientist)
• Dr. Jianmin Su (Research Assistant Professor)
• Bami Kuma (Graduate Student)
• Mona Safari (Graduate Student)
• Jessica Urbanczyk (Medical Student)
• Poojaa Kalathur (Undergraduate Volunteer)