معرفی
Dr. Thomas Heinbockel is a Professor and former Interim Chair at the Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, with adjunct appointments at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Physiology and Anatomy & Neurobiology. His research spans translational neuroscience, focusing on the olfactory and limbic systems through electrophysiological, pharmacological, and epigenetic approaches.
- Education: Biology (Philipps-University Marburg), M.S. in brain research (Max-Planck-Institute), Ph.D. in Neuroscience (University of Arizona)
- Current Roles: Professor & former Interim Chair at Howard University, Adjunct Assistant Professor at University of Maryland
As a leader in neural signaling and synaptic transmission, Dr. Heinbockel's work explores how endocannabinoids and other neurotransmitter systems regulate olfactory circuits. His lab has contributed to understanding COVID-19-related chemosensory loss as a key biomarker for disease progression, and developed anti-epileptic drug discovery platforms using olfactory bulb slice preparations.
Recent publications focus on phytochemical interactions with neural pathways, sex-dependent neuromodulation, and epigenetic mechanisms in neurological disorders. His research has been funded by NIH, NSF, and private foundations, with extensive collaborations across DC-CFAR, DC-IDDRC, and the Global Consortium on Chemosensory Research.
- Key Scientific Awards
- Howard University Graduate Faculty Research Exemplar (2019)
- NIH/NINDS Neurotherapeutics Training Fellowship (2014)
- Multiple Faculty Author Certificates (2004-2012)
- Research Mentorship
- Mentored students like Eugene Park and Zejun Wang to award-winning presentations
- Lab members recognized in Howard University Research Symposia (2010-2017)
The Heinbockel Lab employs patch-clamp electrophysiology, voltage-sensitive dye imaging, and microarray analysis to study neural circuits in mice, rats, and gene-targeted models. Current projects examine the intersection of chemosensory dysfunction, epigenetic health disparities, and novel therapeutic development for neurological disorders.
