Jens Carlsson is a Professor at Uppsala University, affiliated with the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) . His research focuses on computational biochemistry , particularly G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) , using physics-based modeling to advance structure-based drug design . Academic rank: Full Professor (since 2022) Key methodologies: Molecular dynamics simulations, docking, free energy calculations Research themes: GPCR ligand interactions, virtual chemical space screening, allosteric modulators Recent work (2025) highlights AI-driven discovery of brain disease therapeutics and DNA repair inhibitors , while 2024 projects explore AlphaFold applications in TAAR1 agonist design . His group has received Swedish Research Council grants (3.6M SEK, 6M SEK) and industry collaborations . Scientific awards include the Göran Gustafsson Prize (2016), Excellence Prize in Molecular Design (2022), and Ingvar Carlsson Award (2012). Key students include PhD candidates Mariama Jaiteh and Pierre Matricon , with postdocs like Nicolas Panel and Duy Duc Vo .
Barbara Strupp is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Cornell University, with joint affiliations to the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Human Ecology. Her research examines neurodevelopmental trajectories using rodent models and human clinical studies, focusing on nutritional interventions and environmental neurotoxins. She maintains active collaborations with Rush University Medical Center, NYU, UC Santa Cruz, and University of Illinois researchers. Her primary investigations evaluate how maternal choline supplementation during pregnancy influences cognitive development in Down syndrome models and neurotypical populations, revealing lasting improvements in attention, spatial memory, and emotional regulation. Parallel research analyzes developmental manganese exposure's neurotoxic effects on attention and motor function, demonstrating therapeutic efficacy of methylphenidate through catecholaminergic receptor modulation. Studies integrate behavioral phenotyping with neural mechanism analyses across lifespan development. Recent publication trends (2019-2025) highlight longitudinal human trials confirming choline's cognitive benefits in school-aged children, mechanistic rodent studies elucidating choline's neuroprotective pathways in Down syndrome models, and neuropharmacological interventions counteracting manganese-induced deficits. Research consistently bridges nutritional science, neurotoxicology, and developmental disorder therapeutics.
Steven Laviolette is a Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario. He holds a Ph.D. and B.Sc. from the University of Toronto. His laboratory investigates neuropsychiatric disorders (addiction, depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety) through neuropharmacology and neurodevelopment, focusing on cannabinoids, opioids, and nicotine. Key research areas include molecular signaling in prefrontal cortex-amygdala-hippocampus circuits, neurodevelopmental impacts of adolescent drug exposure, and therapeutic applications of phytocannabinoids like CBD. Research explores how THC and CBD modulate emotional processing, opioid/nicotine addiction mechanisms, and long-term neuroadaptations from developmental drug exposure. Articles reveal consistent themes: cannabinoid interactions with dopaminergic/serotonergic systems, fear/aversion memory pathways, and prefrontal cortical dysfunction in psychiatric disorders. Neurodevelopmental studies highlight persistent anxiety/depression phenotypes from adolescent nicotine or THC exposure. C.I.H.R. New Investigator Fellowship Early Researcher Award (Ontario) Young Investigator Award (N.A.R.S.A.D) New Investigator Award (Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation) Leader’s Opportunity Fund (Canada Foundation for Innovation) Faculty Scholar's Award (Western Ontario) Laviolette mentors 25+ graduate students and 17 postdoctoral researchers, directing a lab with collaborations across Western Ontario departments (Psychiatry, Physiology, Chemistry). He serves on CIHR review panels and the Canadian Institute for Military/Veteran’s Health Research, previously chairing the Ontario Mental Health Foundation review committee.
Professor David Bannerman is a leading academic in Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Oxford's Department of Psychiatry. He heads the Behavioural Neuroscience Unit, focusing on neural mechanisms underlying anxiety, learning, and memory. His research integrates neurophysiological, genetic, and pharmacological approaches to study neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and sleep disturbances. Education: BSc (Hons) and PhD qualifications are listed. His research interests span synaptic plasticity, neurodegenerative processes, and the neurobiology of fear/anxiety. Notable areas include the role of orexin pathways in anxiety, tau protein effects on spatial cognition, and the impact of psychedelics like 5-MeO-DMT on neural states. He also investigates sleep spindles’ role in brain state regulation and the consequences of SSRI discontinuation on serotonergic systems. Recent work emphasizes Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms (e.g., amyloid β’s synaptic effects), schizophrenia models (NMDA receptor dysfunction), and the neuroplasticity linked to working memory training. His lab employs cutting-edge techniques, including optogenetics and in vivo neural recordings, to dissect complex behaviors and circuit-level dysfunction. His publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, bridging basic neuroscience with translational research. Key themes include: synaptic dysfunction in neurodegeneration, environmental influences on neurobehavioral outcomes (e.g., magnetic fields), and the neurobiological basis of psychiatric symptomatology.
Katrin Vogt is a Group Leader at the University of Konstanz and an Affiliated Scientist at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. She serves on the IMPRS Board and Faculty, focusing on behavioral neuroscience in Drosophila larvae. Her research explores how social context and internal states (e.g., hunger) modulate neural circuits and behavior, utilizing genetic tools like optogenetics, RNAi, and CRISPR. Key Research Areas: Behavioral flexibility under internal state changes Neural integration of sensory and state signals in the antennal lobe Role of serotonin (CSD neuron) in modulating output pathways Computational modeling of state-dependent circuit dynamics Notable Achievements: Discovered state-dependent olfactory valence switching (e.g., geranyl acetate shifts from aversion to attraction under food deprivation) Elucidated glutamatergic inhibition mechanisms in picky local interneurons Identified 5-HT7 receptor's role in upregulating uniglomerular projection neuron activity Recent Publications: 2025: PLoS Biology on multimodal sensory neurons 2024: Current Biology commentary on behavioral neuroscience 2023: Current Biology on multisensory memory merging Academic Affiliations: University of Konstanz (Group Leader, Department of Collective Behavior) Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (Affiliated Scientist) IMPRS for Organismal Biology (Faculty Member) Scientific Awards: DFG Research Fellowship (Project No. 345729665) Students & Collaborators: PhD students: Hari P. Narayanan, Akhila Mudunuri Research assistants: Nora Tutas, Julius Klein, Constantin Dyroff DAAD summer student: Élyse Zadigue-Dubé Recent graduates: Amelie Edmaier (BSc 2023), Constantin Dyroff (BSc 2023)
Anders Nykjær is a Professor at the Department of Biomedicine , Aarhus University , and Director of the DANDRITE - Nykjær Group . His research focuses on the role of VPS10p-domain receptors, particularly sortilin and SorCS2 , in neuronal viability, neurotrophic signaling, and neurodegenerative diseases. University: Aarhus University Department: Department of Biomedicine Lab: DANDRITE - Nykjær Group Nykjær's work spans neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Huntington's), neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF), and receptor biology . His studies investigate how receptors like sortilin modulate amyloid-beta catabolism, dopaminergic neuron development, and neurovascular coupling. Recent articles highlight SorCS2 in motor neuron development and progranulin interactions. Article trends include neurovascular signaling (SorCS2 in astrocytic function), neurotrophic receptor dynamics (TrkB/GluN2B/SorCS2 complexes), and cardiovascular-neurological cross-talk (sortilin in atherosclerosis and diabetic retinal degeneration). His methods involve in vivo models, proteomics, and receptor-ligand interaction studies. Scientific contributions emphasize receptor biology in Neurodegenerative disease mechanisms Lipoprotein and neurotrophin receptor trafficking Neurovascular and synaptic signaling pathways
William Christopher Wetsel is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and an Associate Professor in Neurobiology at Duke University School of Medicine. He is also a Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, demonstrating his interdisciplinary approach to neuroscience research. Dr. Wetsel earned his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1983. His research program focuses on using genetically-modified mice to study the roles of specific genes and gene products in neuroendocrine, neurological, and psychiatric responses. As the Director of the Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility at Duke University, he has extensive experience phenotyping various mouse models for both his own research and for other investigators. Dr. Wetsel's research spans multiple areas of neuroscience and psychiatry, with particular emphasis on developing mouse genetic models of neuroendocrine and neuropsychiatric illnesses. His laboratory employs a range of techniques including biochemical analyses, behavioral assessments, and postmortem analyses to characterize these models. A significant aspect of his work involves collaborating with medicinal chemists and biotechnology companies to identify novel compounds that can ameliorate abnormal responses in mutant mouse models, with some preclinical studies forming the basis for clinical trials. Analysis of Dr. Wetsel's recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on neuropharmacology, particularly related to dopamine and serotonin receptor signaling, neuropsychiatric disorders, and pain mechanisms. His research frequently employs genetically-modified mouse models to investigate conditions including schizophrenia, depression, opioid addiction, and neurodevelopmental disorders. There is a clear trend toward investigating biased receptor signaling and developing more targeted therapeutic approaches with fewer side effects. Dr. Wetsel has made significant contributions to the field through his leadership of the Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, which has supported numerous research projects both at Duke and at other institutions. His work bridges basic neuroscience with translational applications, as evidenced by several publications that have led to clinical trials. Dr. Wetsel's laboratory operates at the intersection of multiple research areas, utilizing advanced techniques in behavioral neuroscience, molecular biology, and neuropharmacology. The Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility under his direction serves as a critical resource for researchers studying neurological and psychiatric conditions using animal models.
Dr. Timothy J. Collier is a Professor of Translational Neuroscience at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, where he serves as Director of the Michigan State University Udall Center of Excellence in Parkinson's Disease Research. He holds dual appointments in the MSU Neuroscience Program and MSU BioMolecular Science Gateway Faculty, with his laboratory based at the Grand Rapids Research Center. Dr. Collier received his undergraduate training in psychology at the University of Minnesota (B.A., 1974) and completed his graduate studies in psychology and neuroscience at Northwestern University (M.S., 1979; Ph.D., 1983). He conducted postdoctoral training at the University of Rochester with Dr. John Sladek Jr., focusing on cell transplantation in animal models of Parkinson's disease and aging. His research program investigates the fundamental relationship between aging and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease. Dr. Collier's laboratory employs a range of models from primary cell culture to nonhuman primates, with current projects examining cellular senescence mechanisms, progerin and klotho gene effects on neurodegeneration, and repurposing existing drugs for Parkinson's treatment. His work bridges basic neuroscience with translational applications, emphasizing how aging serves as an active driver rather than merely a risk factor for neurodegenerative conditions. Analysis of Dr. Collier's recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary focus spanning neuroscience, cardiology methodology, and statistical approaches to clinical research. His work demonstrates consistent contributions to understanding Parkinson's disease mechanisms while also advancing methodological approaches in clinical trial design, particularly in cardiology. The integration of aging biology with neurodegenerative disease processes represents a distinctive hallmark of his research program. Dr. Collier maintains active collaborations across multiple research groups studying Parkinson's disease, including the Counts Lab, Gordon Lab, Kanaan Lab, Lipton Lab, Morgan Lab, Sammi Lab, Sortwell Lab, Steece-Collier Lab, and Vega Lab at Michigan State University. His technical expertise encompasses primary neuronal cultures, stereotaxic surgery, immunohistochemistry, brain tissue microdissection, behavioral evaluations of motor performance in rodents, and stereology. These methodologies support his laboratory's investigation of both fundamental mechanisms of neurodegeneration and potential therapeutic interventions.
Ali D. Güler is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Virginia, leading the Güler Lab. His research focuses on neural circuits regulating feeding behavior and sleep, particularly how modern societal factors like food availability disrupt these processes. He holds a B.A. from Bowdoin College (1999), a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2006), and completed postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University (2006–2008) and the University of Washington (2008–2013). Research interests include: Neural pathways linking reward centers and circadian clocks Metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes Pharmacological mechanisms of weight-loss drugs Alzheimer’s disease and circadian rhythm disruption Recent work highlights discoveries like the GLP-1 satiety circuit and dopamine’s role in hedonic feeding. His lab uses advanced tools such as optogenetics and real-time neurophysiology in mouse models. Advising and training include mentoring over 30 graduate and undergraduate students. Current projects explore circadian therapy for neurodegenerative diseases and molecular mechanisms of food anticipation. The lab is located in Gilmer Hall, Room 414.
Prof. Dr. Rainer Spanagel serves as the Head of the Institute of Psychopharmacology at the Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI) within the Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University. His research focuses on addiction neuroscience, particularly alcohol and drug dependence, with a strong emphasis on translational approaches bridging preclinical and clinical research. Key areas include comorbid psychiatric disorders (anxiety, depression, ADHD), neurobiological mechanisms of relapse, and the development of novel therapeutic interventions. Spanagel's work utilizes advanced methodologies such as transgenic animal models, neuroimaging (MRI/fMRI), and systems medicine approaches. He leads projects on epigenetic modulation (e.g., oxytocin in alcohol addiction), drug repurposing (psilocybin), and the impact of adverse childhood experiences on addictive behaviors. Major grants include EU NEURON, BMBF (AERIAL, Target-OXY), and DFG funding for systems medicine and single-cell sequencing studies. His research integrates genetic, environmental, and neurochemical factors to address addiction's biological underpinnings. Notable contributions include identifying hyperdopaminergic states in alcohol abstinence and the role of RasGRF2 in cocaine reward pathways. Current initiatives focus on precision medicine strategies for substance use disorders through multi-omics integration and behavioral monitoring. Key Research Themes: Translational addiction, neuropharmacology, comorbidity mechanisms, epigenetics. Collaborations: Pharmaceutical industry partnerships for preclinical drug trials, multi-institutional consortia (SysMedSUDs, TRR265). Facilities: 9.4T MRI for animal neuroimaging, in silico brain banks integrating single-cell omics data.
Alisha Epps is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Whitworth University, where she has been a faculty member since 2015. She holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Emory University and a B.S. in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina. Her research focuses on behavioral neuroscience, particularly the comorbidities between depression and epilepsy, with an emphasis on rodent models and neuropharmacological interventions. Epps has published extensively on topics including the endocannabinoid system, caloric restriction effects, and the impact of early life stress on neurological disorders. Her work has been supported by grants such as the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Grant (2020-2023) and the SCIO/CCCU Year 1 Research Fellowship (2021-2022). She has also been recognized with Whitworth University’s Innovative Teaching Award in 2018. Epps teaches courses like Biological Psychology, Research in Psychology, and Central Nervous System Disorders, while mentoring numerous undergraduate researchers in her lab. Her presentations at conferences like the Society for Neuroscience and Western Psychological Association highlight her contributions to understanding comorbid neurological conditions. Awards include grants focusing on endocannabinoid system mechanisms and the dorsal hippocampus’s role in depression and epilepsy. Her research portfolio spans neuropharmacology, electrophysiology, and behavioral analysis, with a consistent focus on translational models of mental health and neurological disorders.
Ping Zhou is an Associate Professor of Research in Neuroscience at the Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, where he has been conducting groundbreaking research since 2013. His work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neurovascular dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Zhou received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1991 and completed his undergraduate studies at Nanjing University in China in 1982. His educational background provided the foundation for his extensive research career in neuroscience and neurovascular biology. Dr. Zhou's research interests center on neurovascular coupling, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and mitochondrial mechanisms of neuroprotection. His laboratory investigates how ApoE4 contributes to neurovascular dysfunction, the role of border-associated macrophages in white matter injury, and the neuroprotective functions of prohibitin through S-nitrosylation. His work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with translational applications for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Analysis of Dr. Zhou's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of neuroinflammation and neurovascular dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. His work increasingly incorporates single-cell and epigenetic approaches while maintaining a strong emphasis on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress pathways. The research shows a clear progression from basic mechanisms of neurovascular coupling to more complex investigations of macrophage interactions and genetic risk factors like ApoE4. Dr. Zhou currently serves as Principal Investigator on the NINDS-funded project "Role of prohibitin nitrosylation in its neuroprotective functions" (2022-2027) and as Co-Investigator on two additional NINDS grants: "ApoE4, neurovascular injury and cognitive impairment" (2022-2027) and "Dietary sodium, neurovascular dysfunction and cerebrovascular risk" (2021-2026). These projects reflect his continued focus on molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment. While the available information doesn't specify his laboratory structure, Dr. Zhou's extensive publication record spanning over two decades suggests leadership of a productive research team focused on neurovascular biology and neurodegeneration mechanisms.
Marco Leyton, PhD , is a Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. He serves as a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University . His work focuses on understanding addictions and psychiatric disorders through biopsychosocial frameworks. Institution: RI-MUHC, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Academic Rank: Professor Research Interests : Leyton investigates the neurobiological underpinnings of addiction, emphasizing dopamine and serotonin signaling, neuroimaging techniques (PET, MRI), and vulnerability traits in psychiatric disorders. His studies explore how temperament, adversity, and neurochemical pathways contribute to substance use disorders. Publication Trends : Recent work examines psychedelic drug mechanisms (psilocybin, lisuride), glutamate receptor dynamics, and policy approaches to the overdose crisis. He integrates multimodal imaging (fMRI, PET) to study cue reactivity, cognitive regulation, and developmental trajectories of mental health. Methodological Expertise : Leyton employs advanced neuroimaging, radiotracer development, and longitudinal cohort studies to map neural circuits involved in addiction vulnerability. His research bridges preclinical models with human clinical applications.
Dr. Daniel Alencar Rodrigues is a Lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and has held academic positions including Assistant Professor (2017–2018) and Postdoctoral Researcher (2020–2023). His research focuses on medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, and cancer therapeutics, particularly targeting histone deacetylases (HDACs), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and the development of Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs). Education: PhD in Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2015–2019) MSc in Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2013–2015) Bachelor in Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás (2008–2012) Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, RCSI (2023–2024) His research interests include: Design and synthesis of multi-target drugs and PROTACs for cancer therapy HDAC6 inhibition in breast and brain cancers Computational chemistry for drug design (molecular docking, virtual screening) Development of novel anticancer agents targeting metabolic vulnerabilities Dr. Rodrigues has received the Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship and has a robust publication record with over 20 peer-reviewed articles. His lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining organic synthesis, computational modeling, and biological evaluation. Teaching responsibilities include lecturing in the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) and BSc in Advanced Therapeutic Technologies programs, with a focus on musculoskeletal and haematological health modules. He emphasizes constructive alignment in teaching practices.
Daniel Christoffel, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is affiliated with the Behavioral & Integrative Neuroscience Program and the UNC Neuroscience Center. His research focuses on understanding how adaptive changes in brain function occur and how these processes contribute to psychiatric disorders. Key techniques include optogenetics, calcium imaging, electrophysiology, and automated behavioral analysis. Current work examines neural circuits underlying hedonic feeding and allostasis. Education: PhD in Neuroscience Affiliations: Behavioral & Integrative Neuroscience Program, UNC Neuroscience Center Research interests span neural circuits in psychiatric disorders, stress effects on brain function, and the neurobiology of allostasis. His lab uses advanced behavioral analysis and convergent approaches like chemo/optogenetics to study experience-dependent neural adaptations. Recent work includes studies on serotonin signaling in autism models and dopamine regulation in reward circuits. Publications focus on neural mechanisms of prosocial behavior, stress resilience, and circuitry relevant to depression and addiction. Notable findings include serotonin’s role in reversing social deficits in ASD models and dopamine’s modulation of nucleus accumbens activity.
