Quentin S. Fischer

Quentin S. Fischer, Ph.D., is a Research Assistant Professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC), where he conducts neuroscience research within the Friedlander Lab. His work focuses on synaptic plasticity mechanisms, particularly long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), in the context of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and neural rehabilitation through stimulation.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Psychology (Neuroscience program), University of California, Riverside
• Master of Arts in Psychology (Neuroscience program), University of California, Riverside
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience program), University of Colorado, Boulder

Dr. Fischer's research explores how patterns of synaptic stimulation influence calcium signaling and plasticity in both normal and injured brains, aiming to optimize noninvasive neurostimulation therapies such as magnetic or optical stimulation. His prior work extensively examined visual cortex plasticity, ocular dominance, and molecular signaling pathways involving PKA and calcineurin.

The publication trends reflect a deep engagement with synaptic and cortical plasticity, particularly in visual systems, spanning molecular, cellular, and systems-level neuroscience. His early work focused on developmental and experience-dependent plasticity in visual cortex, while recent research aims to translate these findings into therapeutic strategies for brain injury.

Professional Experience:

• Instructor, Baylor College of Medicine (Neuroscience; Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences)
• Postdoctoral Associate, Yale University Medical School, Dept. Ophthalmology & Visual Science
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Ohio University, Neurobiology Program
• Graduate Student, University of California, Riverside
• Professional Research Associate II, University of Colorado
• Research Assistant, University of Colorado

Dr. Fischer is actively involved in pre-clinical research and is part of the Friedlander Lab team, contributing to the development of evidence-based neural stimulation protocols for neurorehabilitation. No formal scientific awards or student mentorship details are listed in the provided text.