Peter Penzes

Peter Penzes serves as the Ruth and Evelyn Dunbar Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Professor of Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, where he directs the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.

He earned his PhD from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1997.

Dr. Penzes' research centers on synaptic structural plasticity, investigating molecular mechanisms that regulate dendritic spine morphology and function. His work establishes critical links between spine dynamics and cognitive processes, with disruptions implicated in autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. He employs multidisciplinary approaches spanning molecular biology, transgenic models, advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and behavioral analysis to uncover pathological mechanisms.

Recent publications demonstrate a pronounced focus on genetic etiologies of neuropsychiatric conditions, featuring analyses of schizophrenia risk genes, ankyrin-B isoforms in autism/epilepsy, copy number variants, and GWAS risk loci. This work directly informs therapeutic development, exemplified by his team's creation of a novel therapy for Phelan-McDermid syndrome and leadership of a $17 million grant targeting autism and schizophrenia treatments.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Excellence in Research, Northwestern University (2009)

Dr. Penzes leads collaborative research across Northwestern's ecosystem including the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology, Stephen M. Stahl Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, and NUCATS. His laboratory has secured substantial funding including a $17 million award to investigate genetic causes of autism and schizophrenia, with active projects translating basic discoveries into clinical interventions through partnerships with Endeavor Health and Synaptomed, Inc.

He directs the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment while maintaining affiliations with seven specialized research institutes, coordinating multidisciplinary teams focused on neurodevelopmental disorder mechanisms and therapeutic development.