Carolyn Houser is a Professor in Neurobiology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a member of the Brain Research Institute. Her research focuses on neurochemical anatomy, neuronal plasticity, and the role of the GABA neurotransmitter system in central nervous system development and pathology, particularly in epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases. Research Interests: GABAergic neurotransmission, hippocampal circuitry, synaptic plasticity, neurochemical changes in epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and developmental neuroscience. Techniques: Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, optogenetics, and animal modeling. Recent publications highlight her work on GABAA receptor subunit dynamics in epilepsy models, therapeutic modulation of γ-oscillations in Alzheimer's, and structural reorganization of GABAergic circuits in pathological conditions. Her lab investigates how alterations in GABA neurons and receptors contribute to neurological disorders. Laboratory Affiliation: Brain Research Institute, UCLA Neuroscience GPB Home Area.
Daniel Kaufman, Ph.D. , is a full Professor in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) . He is also a member of the Brain Research Institute and participates in three interdepartmental graduate program “home areas”: Immunity, Microbes & Molecular Pathogenesis ; Molecular Pharmacology ; and Neuroscience . Education & Training: While specific degree details are not listed in the text, Dr. Kaufman earned his Ph.D. and has held a faculty appointment at UCLA for many years, as evidenced by extensive publication and mentoring records. Research Focus: Dr. Kaufman’s laboratory investigates the immunomodulatory functions of the GABA and GABA-receptor system , spanning neuroimmunology, autoimmune diabetes, tumor immunity, and infectious disease. His work has uncovered how GABAergic signaling can: suppress autoreactive T cells in type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis, protect β-cells and promote their replication, reduce viral replication and lung pathology in SARS-CoV-2 infection, attenuate tumor-directed immune responses. Publication Trends: Over the past decade his output has concentrated on translational applications of GABAergic drugs—ranging from repurposing safe GABA analogues (homotaurine, lesogaberan) to discovering novel positive allosteric modulators—demonstrating efficacy in mouse models of diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, COVID-19, and multiple sclerosis. Imaging technologies, antigen-specific tolerance induction, and regulatory T-cell biology are recurrent themes. Scientific Honors & Funding: Although specific awards are not enumerated, continuous NIH and foundation support is evidenced by sustained productivity, patents on GABA-based therapeutics, and invitations to author high-impact reviews in Nature and Nature Medicine . Laboratory & Team: Laboratory Location: Room 23-167, Center for Health Sciences, UCLA Phone: 310-794-9664 ORCID: 0000-0002-9844-5918 Dr. Kaufman mentors post-doctoral scholars and graduate students across the above-listed GPB Home Areas, and collaborates widely with imaging scientists, virologists, and clinical endocrinologists to accelerate bench-to-bedside translation.
Christine DeLorenzo serves as Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Biomedical Engineering at Stony Brook University's Renaissance School of Medicine, where she directs neuroimaging research focused on biomarker discovery for Major Depressive Disorder. Her work bridges clinical psychiatry and engineering through multimodal brain imaging techniques and novel PET radioligand development. Her academic training includes: BA in Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth College (1999) MS in Engineering from Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College (2002) PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Yale University (2007) Research Fellowship in Neuroscience at Columbia University (2011) Dr. DeLorenzo's research centers on predicting antidepressant treatment response through multimodal neuroimaging biomarkers , with particular expertise in PET radioligand development and glymphatic system assessment. Her laboratory investigates how obesity, sleep disturbances, and childhood trauma modulate brain structure and function in depression, utilizing advanced techniques like dynamic 18F-FDG PET for cerebrospinal fluid clearance quantification. Recent work explores neuroinflammatory mechanisms in post-COVID neurological sequelae using [18F]-FEPPA imaging. Analysis of her 150+ publications reveals three dominant trajectories: 1) Technical innovation in PET quantification and image reconstruction, 2) Depression biomarker validation across structural, metabolic and neurotransmitter systems, and 3) Expansion into age-related neurodegeneration and post-viral neuroinflammation. Her work increasingly integrates machine learning for low-count PET recovery and treatment prediction. As Principal Investigator, Dr. DeLorenzo leads two major NIH-funded projects: Uncovering Biomarkers of Major Depressive Disorders Using Multimodal Imaging and Characterization of a New Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 5 PET Ligand . These initiatives support her laboratory's development of quantitative imaging protocols for clinical translation. Her neuroimaging laboratory operates within Stony Brook's PET Center, utilizing simultaneous PET/MRI systems and advanced computational pipelines for kinetic modeling. The team collaborates with biomedical engineers on AI-driven image reconstruction and with psychiatrists on clinical validation of imaging biomarkers, maintaining active partnerships with Columbia University and Yale.
Temugin Berta, PhD is a Professor at the University of Cincinnati in the Medical Sciences Building . With postdoctoral training at Harvard University (2009) and Duke University (2012) , his research focuses on neuropathic pain mechanisms , glial-neuronal interactions , and TRP channel signaling . He has led multiple NINDS R01 and R21 grants totaling over $3 million, including projects on STING-mediated pain , NR4A1 in pain resolution , and glial signaling pathways . Research Interests: His work spans from basic pain neurobiology to translational therapeutics , with key contributions in microglial signaling , satellite glial cell function , and non-opioid analgesics . Recent studies explore sex-dependent pain mechanisms and neuro-immune interactions in conditions like diabetes and psoriasis. Article Trends: His publications emphasize TRPV1/4 modulation , microglial activation , glial-neuronal crosstalk , and lipid mediators in pain. Subfields include metaloproteinase signaling , endozepine regulation , and single-cell ganglion analysis .
Dr. Huda Yahya Zoghbi is a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine , holding appointments in the Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Pediatrics - Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Neuroscience , and other programs. She serves as an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and as Director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital. Her research spans neurogenetics, neurodegenerative diseases, and neurodevelopmental biology. Education: MD, Meharry Medical College (1979) BS, American University of Beirut (1976) Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine (1985) Research Interests: Dr. Zoghbi's work focuses on the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases like spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) and Rett syndrome , using genetic and biochemical approaches to understand disease mechanisms. Her lab investigates Ataxin-1 in polyglutamine diseases, Atoh1 in neurodevelopment, and MECP2 regulation in neurological disorders. She explores therapeutic strategies including antisense oligonucleotides and deep brain stimulation . Notable Awards: Kavli Prize in Neuroscience (2022) Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2017) National Academy of Sciences (2004) Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine (2016) Canada Gairdner International Award (2017) Honorary Doctorates from Yale, Meharry, and Middlebury (2007-2014) Laboratory: The Zoghbi Laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine investigates genetic mechanisms in neurological disorders , collaborating with institutions like the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital. The lab employs mouse models , CRISPR tools , and single-cell sequencing to study neuronal differentiation and disease vulnerability.
Erik Lindahl is a Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University. His research group is primarily located at the Science for Life Laboratory, a joint research environment for Stockholm University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Karolinska Institutet. Lindahl serves as deputy director of the Swedish e-Science Research Center (SeRC), sits on the steering committee for the national program in Data-driven Life Sciences at SciLifeLab, and is program manager for Stockholm University's part of a joint master's program in molecular techniques for the life sciences. He also serves as vice section dean for chemistry and is involved in creating a Swedish node within CECAM. Lindahl's research focuses on understanding the structure and function of ligand-gated ion channels, particularly in the human nervous system. His group combines experimental and computational approaches, including bioinformatics for building receptor models, molecular dynamics simulations to understand molecular interactions, and experimental techniques like electrophysiology and spectroscopy. They have made significant contributions to understanding how voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels function, including determining molecular mechanisms of channel opening and identifying binding sites for molecules that modulate neural signaling. The group is also a leader in developing computational tools for life sciences, particularly the widely used GROMACS software package for molecular dynamics simulations and methods for cryo-electron microscopy data analysis through the RELION program. Analysis of Lindahl's recent publications reveals a strong focus on structural biology of membrane proteins, particularly ligand-gated ion channels. His work integrates cutting-edge computational methods like molecular dynamics simulations, AlphaFold predictions, and cryo-EM data analysis to understand protein conformational dynamics and ligand binding. Key research themes include the structural basis of ion channel function, lipid-protein interactions that stabilize membrane proteins, and computational methods for biomolecular simulation and structural biology. His publications demonstrate a consistent interdisciplinary approach that bridges computational chemistry, structural biology, and neuroscience. Lindahl leads an active research group with multiple postdocs, researchers, and PhD students working on various aspects of membrane protein structure and function. His research is supported by diverse funding sources including the Swedish Research Council, European Research Council, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and several EU programs. He plays significant leadership roles in major computational infrastructure initiatives including BioExcel (an EU-funded center of excellence for computational biomolecular research), PRACE (the European computing infrastructure), and EuroHPC. The Lindahl research group operates primarily at the Science for Life Laboratory, where they have access to advanced computational resources and experimental facilities for structural biology. The group collaborates extensively with researchers across Stockholm University, KTH, Karolinska Institutet, and international partners through EU-funded projects. They are particularly active in developing and maintaining open-source software tools that are widely used in the computational biology community.
Ana Sofia Direito dos Santos Duarte is an Assistant Professor at Universidade Católica Portuguesa's Faculty of Dental Medicine in Viseu. With a PhD in Biochemistry (2006) from the University of Aveiro, her academic career spans teaching and mentoring PhD/Master's students across multiple programs. PhD in Biochemistry (2006) - University of Aveiro Current position: Assistant Professor - Universidade Católica Portuguesa Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of microbial cytotoxicity and virulence, with particular emphasis on biotechnological applications. Key areas include: Biomaterial characterization (polymers, nanoparticles) Biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties Plant and human pathogen interactions Quorum sensing inhibition Science communication and technology transfer Publications since 2011 demonstrate expertise in fungal pathogenesis, bacterial collagenases, and marine/microbial biotechnology applications. Collaborations span environmental microbiology (UV-treated wastewater studies), drug delivery systems, and agricultural research.
Professor Alistair Forrest is a Professor at the University of Western Australia based at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, serving as Associate Director Scientific and Co-Chair of the Research Leadership Team for the Genome Biology and Genetics Program and Cancer Program. His educational background includes a BSc(Hons) in Biotechnology from Murdoch University (1993), a Masters in Information Technology from Queensland University of Technology, and a PhD in Bioinformatics from the University of Queensland. Professor Forrest's research bridges genomics, bioinformatics, and clinical oncology, with expertise in next-generation sequencing (RNA-seq, CAGE, ChIP-seq) to investigate mammalian transcriptional networks, non-coding RNA biology, and cancer biomarker discovery. His work focuses on translating basic genomic findings into clinical applications for identifying novel drug targets and diagnostic markers in cancers including mesothelioma and hepatocellular carcinoma. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a dominant focus on cancer immunotherapy mechanisms, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and spatial transcriptomics. Key themes include immune checkpoint therapy response biomarkers, clonal lymphocyte expansion, macrophage-mediated tumor progression, and molecular pathways underlying drug resistance in solid tumors. He has received significant recognition including: CJ Martin Fellowship Cancer Research Trust Senior Cancer Research Fellowship Professor Forrest leads genomic research initiatives at the Perkins Institute, leveraging his experience from coordinating the international FANTOM5 consortium (250+ scientists across 20 countries) to advance cancer systems biology. His current work integrates multi-omics approaches with clinical collaborations to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Vadim Bolshakov is a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory at McLean Hospital . His research focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms of learned and innate fear-related behaviors , utilizing electrophysiology, optogenetics, and genetic models to study synaptic plasticity in amygdala circuits. Education: 1982 BS, Tomsk University, Russia 1987 PhD, Sechenov Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences 1993-1999 Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Columbia University Key research areas include fear conditioning, anxiety disorders, synaptic plasticity , and genetic regulation of neural circuits . Recent work highlights how mPFC-amygdala interactions govern fear extinction and identifies genes controlling synaptic proteins in PTSD and schizophrenia models. His publications (2013-2020) emphasize synaptic mechanisms in fear circuits , optogenetic modulation of anxiety , and pathway-specific plasticity in emotional memory. Collaborations span institutions including Boston Children’s Hospital and University of Illinois . Lab Members: Current: Xin Deng (Research Fellow), Yan Li (Assistant Research Physiologist), Yunona Manasian (Lab Manager) Former: Keith Tully (PhD), Evgeny Tsvetkov (Post-Doctoral Associate)
Paolo Medini is an Associate Professor at Umeå University, affiliated with the Department of Medical and Translational Biology and the Center for Transdisciplinary AI. His research focuses on cortical microcircuits, sensory processing, and brain recovery mechanisms. Neuroscience Neurophysiology Cortical Plasticity Optogenetics His lab investigates how sensory information is processed by distinct cell types in cortical circuits and how these circuits adapt after brain lesions or sensory deprivations. Research spans both adaptive and maladaptive plasticity, aiming to differentiate molecular mechanisms for targeted interventions. Recent publications highlight applications of all-optical interrogation strategies and multisensory integration in the neocortex. Paolo Medini's group employs advanced techniques such as in vivo patch clamp recordings, two-photon calcium imaging, and optogenetics. They use genetically modified strains to study cell-type-specific responses and circuit reorganization post-lesion. Their work is critical for developing therapies in neurodegenerative diseases and cortical repair. Environmental enrichment for brain recovery (Nature Neuroscience) Cortical microcircuit organization (Neuron) Post-stroke plasticity (Journal of Physiology)
Raunak Sinha is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on neural signaling in the retina, with particular emphasis on the fovea—the central part of the primate retina that dominates visual perception and mediates the highest spatial and chromatic sensitivity. He made the first intracellular recordings from retinal output neurons in the fovea, uncovering a specialized neural circuit that operates without synaptic inhibition. Dr. Sinha's research interests include: Neural Processing in the Retina Fovea specialization and function Neural Computation Phototransduction diversity Sensory transduction mechanisms Functional diversity of retinal neurons across types and visual field His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on retinal circuit organization, neural plasticity, and regional differences in photoreceptor function across the primate retina. His work spans neuroscience, ophthalmology, and computational modeling with applications to understanding visual perception and developing treatments for retinal diseases. Dr. Sinha has received several prestigious awards including: Career advancement award from the Research to Prevent Blindness Foundation (2025) ICTR Translational Basic & Clinical Pilot Award (2024) David and Nancy Walsh Family Professor in Vision Science (2019) Multiple research grants from Alcon Research Institute, BrightFocus Foundation, and E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation Dr. Sinha mentors numerous graduate students, postdocs, and undergraduates. His lab has successfully guided several PhD students to completion including Abhilash Sawant (2024), Aindrila Saha (2025), and Jenna Nagy (2025). His students have received multiple awards including Kenzi Valentyn Vision Research Awards and best poster prizes at major conferences. The Sinha lab is part of the McPherson Eye Research Institute at UW-Madison and collaborates extensively with other labs including the Hoon Lab, Chapman Lab, and Gamm Lab. They utilize advanced techniques including electrophysiology, two-photon imaging, and connectomics to study retinal function.
Alessandro Senes is a Professor at the Department of Biochemistry of the University of Wisconsin-Madison , where he joined in 2008 and was promoted to full professor in 2020. His research focuses on membrane protein structure and function , particularly the bacterial divisome and transmembrane interaction motifs like GAS-right . He is also the director of the Biophysics PhD program and the Molecular Biophysics NIH Training Grant . His laboratory employs a multi-disciplinary approach combining X-ray crystallography , genetic reporter assays , computational modeling , and in vivo analysis to study the structural organization of membrane proteins. He has developed the open-source MSL (Molecular Software Library) for advanced macromolecular modeling and the CATM method to predict GAS-right motif structures. His recent publications highlight computational advances in transmembrane dimer prediction, structural analysis of divisome proteins, and thermodynamic studies of hydrogen bonding. Key collaborators include experts in biophysics, molecular biology, and computational chemistry. Teaching roles include Biochem 551: Biochemical Methods and graduate seminars like Membrane Protein Structure and Function (Biochem 924) . His lab includes graduate students Joshua Choi , Samridhi Garg , and Tamalika Kar , plus undergraduates Emma Cushman and Alexander Vorobiov .
Daniel Pomeranz Krummel, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research focuses on improving treatments for malignant brain tumors, both primary and metastatic, with particular emphasis on advanced therapeutic approaches. Dr. Krummel's research interests span multiple disciplines within cancer biology and neuro-oncology, including gene expression , membrane transport , RNA biology , ultrasound technology , drug development , immunotherapy , radiation , and epigenetics . His work integrates molecular biology with innovative engineering approaches to tackle challenging brain tumor cases. Analysis of Dr. Krummel's most recent publications reveals a strong focus on developing advanced models for brain tumor research, particularly glioblastoma. His work combines microfluidics , single-cell analysis , and ultrasound-enhanced delivery systems to overcome barriers in brain tumor treatment. Recent publications also demonstrate his interdisciplinary approach spanning structural biology, cancer therapeutics, and novel drug delivery mechanisms. Life Member, Clare Hall College, Univ. Cambridge, 2008 – Present Research Fellow, Clare Hall College, Univ. Cambridge, 2002 – 2006 Long-term Fellowship, Human Frontier Science Program, 2000 – 2003 Graduate Fellowship, National Institutes of Health (NRSA), 1995 – 1997 CIBA Research Award, 1993 Dr. Krummel collaborates extensively with researchers like Soma Sengupta on brain tumor projects, including the development of ultrasound technology and glioblastoma-on-chip microdevices. His work has received significant funding through prestigious fellowships and awards, indicating strong support for his innovative research directions in neuro-oncology and therapeutic development.
Soma Sengupta, MD, PhD, FRCP, FAAN, FANA , is a Professor at the UNC School of Medicine , where she serves as Division Chief of Neuro-Oncology , Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Neurosurgery , and Vice Chair in Neurology. She is a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and a board-certified neuro-oncologist with a focus on brain tumor treatment and clinical research . Education : MD and PhD from University of Cambridge; Residency at Beth Israel Deaconess (Neurology); Fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital (Neuro-Oncology) and University of Arizona (Integrative Medicine). Research : Her work bridges clinical trials and lab-based investigations , targeting ion channels and metabolic pathways in brain tumors. She develops novel therapies for glioblastoma and brain metastases, including microfluidic models and phytochemical drug delivery . Scientific Impact : Over 80 publications, including high-profile studies in Nature and Cell , focusing on glioblastoma drug resistance , immune evasion , and personalized treatment platforms . Key projects include the Consortium for Intracranial Metastasis Academic Research (CIMARa) and RNA therapeutic strategies for tumor suppressors. She holds patents for deuterated benzodiazepine analogs in cancer treatment. Awards : Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award (2023) Bye-Fellow, University of Cambridge (2021) Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (2020) Clinical Focus : Treats patients at UNC Hospitals Neurology Clinic , specializing in neuro-oncology and integrative medicine for cancer survivors.
Kariina Laas is a Researcher at the University of Tartu's Institute of Psychology in Estonia. Her academic work spans multiple departments within the university including Psychiatry, Genomics, and Education, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary collaboration across the institution. Dr. Laas specializes in behavioral genetics research, with particular focus on how genetic variations interact with environmental factors to influence aggression, impulsivity, anxiety, and substance use. Her research primarily employs population-representative longitudinal cohort studies that track how specific gene variants (particularly in neurotransmitter systems) relate to behavioral outcomes over time. Her publication record includes at least 30 scientific articles spanning from 2010 to 2024, with recent work examining both traditional behavioral genetics questions and more applied educational psychology topics. Her research shows consistent focus on gene-environment interactions, particularly how stressful life events moderate genetic predispositions toward various behavioral phenotypes. Dr. Laas maintains a strong collaborative network, frequently working with colleagues including Jaanus Harro, Mariliis Vaht, and Evelyn Kiive across multiple departments at the University of Tartu. Her work demonstrates sustained productivity in molecular psychiatry and behavioral genetics research over more than a decade.
