Rita Sattler

Rita Sattler is a Professor of Translational Neuroscience at the Barrow Neurological Institute and an Adjunct Faculty at Arizona State University's School of Life Sciences. She co-directs the interdisciplinary neuroscience PhD program at ASU and leads research on neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, FTD, and Alzheimer's. Her work employs patient-derived stem cells, postmortem tissue, and animal models to study synaptic dysfunction and RNA metabolism.

Education:

• PhD in Physiology from the University of Toronto (1999)
• MS in Physiology from the University of Toronto (1996)
• BS in Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering from Technical University of Mannheim (1993)

Research Interests:

• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration
• Role of synaptic glutamate homeostasis in ALS and FTD
• RNA processing and synaptic protein dysregulation
• Development of drug targets using hiPSCs and animal models

Publications: Her seminal work on PSD-95 and NMDA receptor neurotoxicity (1998) laid the foundation for clinical trials in neuroprotection during stroke. Current research focuses on translating discoveries in neurodegenerative pathways into therapies.

Awards:

• AAN DEI Innovator Grant
• HRSA Grant

Advising & Grants: She mentors students through ASU's School of Life Sciences and the Barrow Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Research funded by federal grants and the Barrow Neurological Foundation.