Nicholas C Brecha

Nicholas C Brecha is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), holding joint appointments in the Departments of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology within the David Geffen School of Medicine. His research program investigates retinal neuroscience, with emphases on neurochemical pathways, cellular signaling mechanisms, and degenerative ocular diseases. He actively leads NIH-funded projects, including a BLR&D Research Career Scientist Award (2020–2027) and studies on horizontal cell signaling and calcium regulation in retinal ganglion cells.

Brecha's research explores:

• Retinal circuitry and synaptic transmission, particularly GABAergic signaling and feedback mechanisms
• Molecular pathways in retinal degeneration and neuroprotection
• Calcium channel modulation and ion dynamics in neuronal function
• Development and morphology of retinal cell types

His recent publications (2020–2024) cluster around three themes: retinal ganglion cell resilience in disease models, horizontal cell-photoreceptor interactions, and subcellular specificity in retinal development. Over 50% of these studies employ advanced genetic tools and electrophysiology to dissect cellular mechanisms.

Awards & Grants:

• Principal Investigator on 6 active/past NIH grants spanning neurochemical pathways, transmitter release, and injury responses
• BLR&D Research Career Scientist Award (NIH, 2020–2027)

Brecha leads a laboratory focused on retinal neuroscience at UCLA, collaborating with teams studying neural regeneration, cellular imaging, and ocular disease biomarkers. His work integrates molecular biology, electrophysiology, and transgenic models to advance understanding of visual processing and pathology.