Dr. Daniel Geschwind's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding the genetics behind neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. The lab uses advanced stem cell technologies and high-throughput phenotyping to study how various genes affect brain development and function, aiming to uncover the biological mechanisms that contribute to disorder risk. To achieve this, they develop models using human stem cells to analyze gene knockouts and their effects on neuronal behavior.

Dr. Michelle Monje-Deisseroth's lab at Stanford University focuses on understanding how neurons contribute to the growth and formation of low-grade gliomas, a common type of brain tumor, particularly in children with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Their research aims to explore the interactions between nerve cells and tumor cells to enhance treatment options and reduce long-term side effects in young patients. The lab employs various techniques to study the biological mechanisms behind these tumors and how they can be targeted for better therapies.

Dr. Daniela Bota's lab at UC Irvine focuses on understanding and alleviating the negative effects of chemotherapy on the nervous system, particularly for women with ovarian cancer. By targeting specific molecular pathways that lead to damage, the team aims to find ways to reduce cognitive decline and neuropathic pain that often accompany cisplatin treatment. Their research seeks to develop new treatments to improve patients' quality of life.

Dr. Catherine L. Gallagher's lab focuses on understanding the early changes in the brain associated with Lewy body dementia, a major neurodegenerative condition. By using advanced imaging techniques like PET and MRI, the lab aims to identify how synaptic loss occurs over time in individuals at risk for the disease. This research could lead to new biomarkers for early detection and eventually inform therapeutic interventions.

Dr. R. Dayne Mayfield's lab at the University of Texas at Austin studies how the immune system in the brain influences alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders. They use advanced techniques to explore how changes in brain cells contribute to excessive drinking behavior and aim to identify new genetic targets for treatment. Their research combines findings from human studies and rodent models to better understand the role of neuroimmune signaling in these processes.

Dr. Yanling Wang's lab at Rush University Medical Center focuses on understanding how the APOE4 gene, a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), influences immune responses in the brain. By studying human brain tissues and developing in vitro organoids, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms of neuroinflammation and how it relates to aging and Alzheimer's. Their research looks at cell interactions and immune functions at brain borders, hoping to identify new therapeutic targets for AD treatment.

Dr. Jaime Grutzendler's lab focuses on understanding how two types of brain cells, microglia and astrocytes, interact in the context of Alzheimer's disease. The lab is investigating the protective roles these cells may play in wrapping around amyloid plaques, which are harmful clumps found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. By using advanced imaging techniques, the researchers aim to uncover cellular interactions that could lead to new therapeutic strategies to protect neurons in Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Puja Agarwal's lab focuses on understanding how dietary factors influence neuroinflammation and brain health, particularly in the context of Alzheimer's disease and related conditions. They study the effects of nutrients and antioxidants in diverse populations, aiming to link diet to cognitive resilience and neurodegenerative biomarkers. The research not only investigates the biological mechanisms at play but also addresses disparities in health outcomes across different demographic groups.

Dr. Hibiki Fujita's lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, specifically linked to a protein called CHCHD10. By studying how mutations in this protein lead to neurodegeneration and exploring potential therapies, the lab aims to develop new treatments for these challenging neurological diseases. Students in this lab will have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research on protein aggregation and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Dr. Weichun Lin's lab at UT Southwestern focuses on understanding how motor neurons develop and connect with skeletal muscles at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). By studying the signals between muscles and nerves, the lab aims to discover the mechanisms that help maintain motor neurons and form healthy synapses. This research is crucial for developing effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases, especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Dr. Partha S. Sarkar's lab at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston focuses on understanding how the huntingtin protein impacts DNA damage repair in neurons, especially in the context of Huntington's disease. They investigate the role of various proteins and complexes involved in repairing DNA double-strand breaks, which are critical for the health of neurons. Through their research, they aim to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new strategies for slowing down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Scott M Sternson's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how the brain's neurons influence behavior through their molecular properties and activity. They use innovative imaging techniques to observe how gene expression and calcium dynamics in neurons relate to various behaviors in mice, especially in deep-brain structures. This research aims to unravel the complexities of neuron functions and their impact on feelings like hunger and fear, as well as their implications in health and disease.

Dr. Karunesh Ganguly's lab at UCSF focuses on developing advanced brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that can help patients with severe motor disabilities regain control of robotic arms. Their research specifically looks at using electrocorticography (ECoG), a method for recording brain activity, to enable paralyzed individuals to intuitively control robotic devices for tasks like reaching and grasping objects. This work aims to improve the quality of life for those affected by paralysis through innovative neuroprosthetic technology.

Dr. Ted Dawson's lab at Johns Hopkins focuses on understanding the mechanisms of neurotoxicity related to stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. They investigate a specific form of cell death called parthanatos, particularly how the enzyme associated with it, known as PAAN/MIF, contributes to injury in neurons. The ultimate goal of the research is to develop innovative therapies to protect neurons from damage and improve outcomes for patients suffering from strokes and similar conditions.

Dr. Martin Kampmann's lab at UCSF focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms behind Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The lab investigates why certain neurons are more vulnerable to these diseases and explores potential therapeutic targets to improve resilience in these cells. They utilize advanced techniques including CRISPR and RNA sequencing to uncover the roles of specific genes and molecular pathways in neurodegeneration.

Dr. Carlos A Pardo-Villamizar's lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding neurosarcoidosis, a condition that affects the nervous system and arises from a systemic inflammatory disorder. The research aims to identify specific biomarkers and immune profiles linked to the disease, explore the role of genetic signatures, and uncover potential antigens or pathogens that may trigger the inflammatory response. This work seeks to better characterize patient phenotypes and improve therapeutic strategies for neurosarcoidosis.

Francois St-Pierre's lab at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on developing advanced tools to study brain activity through voltage indicators. Their main goal is to create genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) that can effectively monitor voltage changes in neurons during various brain functions. These new tools will help scientists better understand how neurons communicate and how these processes can be affected by neurological disorders.

Dr. Jun Chen's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affect brain function and structure, particularly through the lens of neurovascular damage and inflammation. The lab is exploring the potential use of adiponectin, a hormone that may help protect the brain and restore function after such injuries. By studying the effects of this adipokine, the team aims to find new therapeutic strategies to reduce the impact of brain injuries on cognitive health.

Dr. Stacey Lynn Clardy's lab focuses on treating and understanding N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, a serious autoimmune brain disorder that can cause severe psychiatric and neurological problems. The lab is conducting clinical trials to evaluate a promising treatment using inebilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets specific immune cells. Their research aims not only to improve patient outcomes but also to identify predictive biomarkers for treatment responses.

Dr. Alyssa Coyne's lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). The research focuses on how disruptions in the nuclear pore complex affect cellular functions in neurons and contribute to disease progression. By studying induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and human tissues, they aim to uncover potential therapeutic targets to prevent or mitigate neurodegeneration.