معرفی
Stephanie Cragg is Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, where she serves as Group Leader in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG). She is affiliated with Christ Church college and is a founding member of the Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre (OPDC). Her laboratory investigates dopamine neurotransmission within the basal ganglia, with a focus on understanding the mechanisms regulating dopamine transmission and their dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Parkinson's disease and addictions.
Professor Cragg has held numerous leadership positions including President of the International Society for Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience, Member of Council for the International Basal Ganglia Society, and editorial roles for ACS Chemical Neuroscience and Addiction Neuroscience. She previously chaired the 17th International Conference on Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience in Oxford (2018).
Her research spans multiple interconnected areas including dopamine signaling pathways, cholinergic interneuron function, astrocyte-neuron interactions in the striatum, and the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. Recent work has focused on the interplay between dopamine, acetylcholine, and astrocytes in basal ganglia circuitry, revealing novel mechanisms of neurotransmission regulation that have implications for understanding and treating movement disorders.
Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease progression, with increasing attention to non-neuronal cell types like astrocytes and their role in modulating dopamine release. The work combines advanced techniques including in vivo imaging, fiber photometry, and molecular approaches to investigate striatal microcircuitry.
- President, International Society for Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience
- Member of Council, International Basal Ganglia Society
- Editorial Advisory Board, ACS Chemical Neuroscience
- Editorial Board, Addiction Neuroscience
- Member, Parkinson's UK College of Experts
Professor Cragg leads an international research program supported by Aligning Science Across Parkinson's Collaborative Research Network, Parkinson's UK, Medical Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, National Science Foundation USA, and The Wellcome Trust. She has mentored numerous postdoctoral fellows through prestigious fellowships including E.P. Abraham Junior Research Fellowships, Beit Memorial Fellowships, and Paton Research Fellowships. Her laboratory continues to recruit research assistants and graduate students to advance understanding of basal ganglia function in health and disease.
The Cragg Group maintains active collaborations across multiple institutions and participates in international conferences including NeuroFrance and the International Conference on Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience. The lab employs cutting-edge techniques to investigate dopamine transmission dynamics and has contributed significantly to understanding the relationship between dopamine neuron activity and neurotransmitter release in the striatum.
