Noboru Hiroi

Noboru Hiroi is an Adjunct Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. His research focuses on genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms underlying developmental neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual disability. His work emphasizes copy number variations (CNVs) and their roles in these conditions, using mouse models and cellular studies to dissect the contributions of chromosomal segments and individual genes.

Key research interests include the 22q11.2 chromosomal region, genes like Sept5 and Tbx1, and how genetic alterations impact behavior and cognition. His lab employs behavioral assays, genomic analysis, and neurobiological techniques to elucidate pathogenic mechanisms. Recent studies explore environmental factors (e.g., maternal separation) and their interactions with genetic predispositions in ASD.

Publications span over a decade, with contributions to Molecular Psychiatry, Biological Psychiatry, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. His work bridges basic science and clinical insights, highlighting rare genetic variants as gateways to understanding neuropsychiatric disorders. Collaborations include investigations into neurogenesis, epigenetic modifications, and developmental trajectories in mouse models.