معرفی
Dr. Timothy Jegla is an Associate Professor of Biology and Associate Department Head of Graduate Education at Pennsylvania State University's Eberly College of Science. His research integrates evolutionary biology, neurobiology, and ion channel physiology to explore the origins of neuronal signaling systems. Jegla received his B.A. from Carleton College (1990) and Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis (1996), followed by postdoctoral training at Stanford University. His lab investigates the structural and functional evolution of ion channels in early metazoans, particularly focusing on ctenophores and cnidarians. Recent work highlights independent evolutionary diversification of voltage-gated potassium channels in ctenophores and the ancient origins of neuronal polarity mechanisms in cnidarians. Jegla collaborates extensively, contributing to milestone studies like the textbook Textbook of Ion Channels (2023), and mentors students in molecular genetics, electrophysiology, and bioinformatics.
Education
- B.A., Biology, Carleton College, 1990
- Ph.D., Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, 1996
- Postdoctoral Training, Stanford University, 1996-1997
Research Focus
- Evolutionary origins of ion channel diversity
- Molecular mechanisms of neuronal signaling
- Functional diversification in cnidarians and ctenophores
- Neuronal polarity in early metazoans
Lab Activities
- Functional characterization of ion channels through electrophysiology
- Genomic and phylogenetic analyses
- Transgenic model systems (e.g., sea anemones)
