Sharon Swanger

Sharon Swanger, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, with joint appointments in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Internal Medicine at the Virginia Tech School of Medicine. She leads the Swanger Lab within the Center for Neurobiology Research, focusing on synaptic physiology and neurological disease mechanisms.

• Assistant Professor, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
• Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
• Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Tech School of Medicine

Education:

• Ph.D., Neuroscience, Emory University
• B.S., Behavioral Neuroscience, Lehigh University

Research Interests:
Dr. Swanger's research centers on the molecular and functional diversity of NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) and their role in brain circuit function and neurological disorders. Her work explores how distinct NMDAR subtypes, particularly GluN2C and GluN2D, regulate synaptic transmission in the thalamus and contribute to epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders like Dravet Syndrome. She employs electrophysiology, pharmacology, optogenetics, and super-resolution microscopy to dissect receptor function and develop targeted therapies.

Publication Trends:
Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on NMDAR subunit-specific pharmacology, synaptic diversity in thalamic circuits, and the pathophysiological mechanisms of genetic epilepsies. The research spans molecular neuroscience, neuropharmacology, and disease modeling, with increasing emphasis on developing selective modulators to correct circuit-level dysfunctions without broad side effects.

Scientific Awards:

• Scholar of the Year, Neuroscience Ph.D. Program, Emory University (2012)
• Division Scholar Award, Graduate Division of Biomedical and Biological Sciences, Emory University (2005–2010)
• College Scholar Honors Program, Lehigh University (1997–2001)
• Alfred R. Glancy Full Tuition Scholarship, Lehigh University (1997–2001)

Advising and Grants:
Dr. Swanger mentors graduate students and research associates in her lab, including Rutvi Pallav Desai, Rabeya Khondaker, and Mona Safari. She has secured significant funding from the NIH, Dravet Syndrome Foundation, and the Commonwealth Health Research Board to investigate serotonin-based modulation of seizures and glutamate receptor dysfunction. Her current $200,000 grant explores fenfluramine’s mechanism in Dravet Syndrome, while a prior $1.7 million NIH grant supported NMDAR modulation research.

Labs and Teams:
She leads the Swanger Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, part of the Center for Neurobiology Research. Her team includes research associates and graduate students working on thalamic synapse diversity, seizure mechanisms, and drug development. The lab collaborates with experts in genetics, electrophysiology, and neuropharmacology to advance understanding of synaptic pathophysiology.