معرفی
Tamara Stawicki is an associate professor of neuroscience at Lafayette College whose research focuses on sensory hair cells essential for hearing and balance. She utilizes zebrafish as a primary model organism due to their external hair cells along the lateral line system, which allows direct visualization in living organisms unlike mammalian models.
Her research expertise includes:
- Genetic mutations affecting hair cell development and function
- Mechanisms of hair cell death from environmental toxins
- Hair cell regeneration pathways (zebrafish regenerate while mammals cannot)
- Zebrafish as a genetic model for sensory systems research
- Mechanotransduction in sensory hair cells
Analysis of her recent publications reveals a cohesive research program investigating how hair cells respond to genetic mutations, environmental toxins, and regenerative stimuli. Her work spans molecular mechanisms of cell death to organism-level responses, with particular focus on calcium signaling, cilia function, and regeneration pathways. The consistent use of zebrafish across her publications demonstrates deep expertise in this powerful genetic model for hearing and balance research.
Dr. Stawicki has mentored numerous undergraduate students, with eleven becoming co-authors on peer-reviewed publications. Many have pursued advanced degrees in science or medicine after graduation. She teaches a First-Year Seminar called "Designer Genes, and Neuroregeneration" and an upper-level neuroscience elective on neuroregeneration where students analyze primary scientific literature.
