معرفی
Michael Barresi is a Professor of Biological Sciences at Smith College and holds the Helen and Laura Shedd Professorship. His research investigates glial-neuronal interactions during embryonic brain development using zebrafish as a model system.
Research Focus
The Barresi Lab studies how astroglial cells guide axon pathfinding in the embryonic zebrafish forebrain, examining molecular cues controlling glial positioning, cellular identity establishment, and active roles in neural circuit formation. The lab leverages zebrafish for live imaging of single-cell dynamics during neurodevelopment.
Recent Honors
- Helen and Laura Shedd Endowed Professorship
Student Advising
Dr. Barresi mentors undergraduate and graduate researchers who regularly present at national conferences. Recent honors thesis students: Nalini Oliver (human brain organoids at Harvard Stem Cell Institute) and Shay Iyer (computational developmental genetics PhD candidate).
Publication Themes
His publications focus on Hedgehog signaling pathways in neural patterning, somite development, and evolutionary conservation of vertebrate developmental mechanisms. Recent work emphasizes glial cell functions in axon guidance and neural circuit assembly.
