Shelley J. Russek

Shelley J. Russek is a Professor at Boston University School of Medicine, with dual appointments in the Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics and the Department of Biology. She serves as Director of the Graduate Program for Neuroscience at Boston University.

Education:

• B.A. Summa Cum Laude in Physiological Psychology, UCSD
• M.S. in Anatomy and Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate
• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine

Research Focus: Dr. Russek’s work centers on gene regulation networks controlling inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain, particularly in relation to epilepsy and neurological disorders. Her lab investigates epigenetic mechanisms, neurotrophin receptor dynamics, and transcriptomic changes in conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methodology: The lab employs proteomic/transcriptomic approaches (ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, methylation analysis), in vivo models (rodents/zebrafish), neuronal cultures, and pharmacological screening of chemical libraries to explore disease etiology and develop molecular therapeutics.

Scientific Awards & Leadership:

• Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award (2001)
• Faculty Recognition Award (2017)
• Innovative Research Award, American Epilepsy Society
• Elected member, Society for Neuroscience Council
• Executive Board, BU Center for Systems Neuroscience
• NIH Study Section Clinical Neuroplasticity and Neurotransmitters (CNNT)

Publications & Grants: Her research has been funded by NIH grants related to BDNF signaling, CREB pathways, and GABAA receptor regulation. Key publications span topics like NRF-1-mediated receptor gene transcription, dark exposure effects on cortical inhibition, and JAK/STAT pathway modulation in TBI models.