Tara LeGates

Tara LeGates is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she leads an active research laboratory investigating the neural circuit mechanisms underlying reward, mood, and cognitive behaviors. She is affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building and is a key member of the neuroscience community at UMBC.

Education:

• B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience, Rider University (2007)
• Ph.D. in Biology, Johns Hopkins University (2013)
• Postdoctoral Training, University of Maryland School of Medicine (2019)

Her research focuses on how synaptic and circuit-level plasticity in the brain regulates complex behaviors, particularly those related to depression and psychiatric disorders. Using a combination of electrophysiology, in vivo imaging, and behavioral analysis in mouse models, her lab explores how neuronal circuits such as the hippocampus-nucleus accumbens pathway integrate information to modulate reward and affect. She also investigates the role of light and circadian rhythms in mood regulation, building on foundational work involving melanopsin-expressing neurons.

The recent publications from her lab and collaborations reveal a strong trend in understanding synaptic mechanisms in depression, circadian control of behavior, and the neural basis of reward processing. Her work bridges molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience, with implications for developing novel therapeutic strategies for mood disorders.

Scientific Awards:

No specific awards were listed in the provided text.

Advising and Grants:

Dr. LeGates mentors trainees in experimental design, hypothesis testing, and scientific communication. While current advisees are not listed, her lab is actively engaged in research supported by external funding, as evidenced by her publication record in top-tier journals. She emphasizes training the next generation of scientists through hands-on research and skill development.

Labs and Research Teams:

She leads the LeGates Lab, located on the 3rd floor of the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building at UMBC. The lab employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating electrophysiology, imaging, and behavioral assays in mice. The team investigates how neuronal circuits integrate information to regulate behaviors related to depression, with a focus on synaptic communication and plasticity. The lab is active on social media (Instagram) and collaborates widely with experts in circadian biology, synaptic function, and psychiatric neuroscience.