معرفی
Sarah Heilbronner serves as Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University. Her research program centers on decoding primate brain connectivity to advance understanding of neural circuitry and develop neuromodulation therapies for neurological disorders.
Her academic foundation includes a Psychology undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a Neurobiology PhD from Duke University under Dr. Michael Platt, followed by neuroanatomy training with Dr. Suzanne Haber at the University of Rochester. She established her independent laboratory at the University of Minnesota in 2017 before relocating to Baylor College of Medicine in March 2023.
Dr. Heilbronner's research investigates the structural and functional organization of primate brain networks using multimodal approaches including tract-tracing, diffusion MRI, and PS-OCT imaging. Her lab specifically targets mesoscale connectomics to bridge microscopic neuronal properties with macroscopic brain systems, with applications in psychiatric and neurological disorder treatment. Key focus areas include orbitofrontal cortex subdivisions, posterior cingulate circuitry, and translational mapping of cross-species neural networks.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals a cohesive trajectory in primate connectomics methodology development, with increasing emphasis on clinical translation. Her work integrates ultra-high-field imaging (10.5T MRI), chemogenetic circuit manipulation (DREADDs-fMRI), and computational modeling to create comprehensive brain wiring diagrams. Significant collaborative efforts address conservation applications (oxytocin in felids) and surgical neuromodulation targets through population-averaged tractography.
Dr. Heilbronner actively mentors trainees across career stages, having guided multiple PhD graduates including Adriana Cushnie (addiction neuroscience), Jessica Burkhart (lion behavior), and Zhe (Maya) Wang (orbitofrontal cortex). Her lab participates in major initiatives including the BRAIN CONNECTS consortium (UM1 grant) and the Center for Mesoscale Connectomics, with collaborations spanning 20+ institutions and clinical departments.
The Heilbronner Lab operates from the Bioscience Research Collaborative at Baylor College of Medicine, maintaining strong ties with Rice University's engineering programs. The team employs specialized techniques like PS-OCT and ultra-high-field MRI while contributing to large-scale projects such as the BRAIN Initiative's circuit-mapping goals. Current efforts focus on translating mesoscale connectivity data into clinical applications for brain disorders through partnerships with neurosurgeons and psychiatrists.
