Dr. Marta San Luciano's lab focuses on developing innovative treatment strategies for children and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP), particularly through the use of cerebellar deep brain stimulation (DBS). This research aims to improve movement disabilities and muscle tightness associated with CP by targeting the cerebellum, a brain region that often remains intact in these patients. The lab combines advanced neurotechnology with clinical assessments and brain imaging to enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from movement disorders related to CP.

Dr. Christine K. Fox's lab at the University of California, San Francisco focuses on understanding the complex link between childhood stroke, seizures, and the development of epilepsy. Her research aims to uncover the inflammatory processes and brain regions involved in these occurrences, using data from children who have experienced strokes. The ultimate goal is to improve recovery outcomes and find effective treatments for preventing epilepsy in young stroke patients.

Dr. Sophie Dumont's lab at UCSF studies how chromosomes are accurately segregated during cell division, a crucial process for cell health. They explore the physical and molecular mechanisms behind this process, particularly focusing on the spindle and kinetochore structures that help move chromosomes. Through innovative techniques like microneedle manipulation and live cell imaging, the lab aims to understand the fundamental principles of chromosome segregation, which has important implications for understanding cancer and congenital abnormalities.

Dr. Claire Clelland's lab at UCSF focuses on innovative approaches to address neurological diseases through advanced gene therapy techniques. They develop and test new methods to deliver treatments directly to the central nervous system (CNS) using ethically sourced human cadaver models. Additionally, their work involves utilizing CRISPR technology to target and edit genes associated with conditions like frontotemporal dementia, aiming to create effective therapeutic options for patients.

Dr. Peter Alexander Ljubenkov's lab focuses on finding new treatments for patients with semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), a form of dementia closely linked to frontotemporal lobar degeneration. They are conducting a clinical trial to test a drug called Verdiperstat, which may help address the underlying causes of this condition. The lab aims to gather important information about how the drug works and its safety in patients, contributing to future therapies for cognitive disorders related to neurodegeneration.

Dr. Yan Li's lab at the University of California, San Francisco focuses on understanding and improving cognitive functioning and quality of life for patients with lower grade astrocytoma. They use advanced MRI techniques to assess how tumors and their treatment impact brain function. The research aims to develop better clinical strategies for patient management and treatment therapy based on their findings.

Dr. Maria Luisa Gorno Tempini's research focuses on improving the diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia, particularly among Latino and English-speaking populations. Using innovative automated speech and language analysis techniques, her lab aims to identify specific markers of cognitive decline across diverse socio-biological backgrounds. This research not only addresses the inequities in dementia assessment but also strives to develop cost-effective, culturally sensitive diagnostic tools that can benefit underrepresented communities.

Dr. Felicia C. Chow's lab focuses on understanding how sexual differences influence neurocognitive impairment and recovery in people living with HIV, alongside improving diagnostic methods for tuberculous meningitis. By studying the impacts of cerebrovascular health and immune responses, her research aims to develop better treatments tailored to men and women. Moreover, her lab is dedicated to enhancing research capacity in regions heavily affected by tuberculosis, fostering local expertise for more effective health interventions.

Dr. Saul A. Villeda's lab at UCSF focuses on understanding how factors in our blood can help improve cognitive function and regeneration in the aging brain. They study how exercise influences these blood factors and also explore potential therapies for age-related diseases like Alzheimer's. The ultimate goal is to identify ways to reverse cognitive decline and enhance brain function in older adults.

Dr. Mara Decker's lab focuses on improving the mental health of newcomer refugee and immigrant youth in the United States through a community-based sports intervention. The project, called 'Meet Me on the Pitch,' aims to integrate sports with behavioral health services to help these youth overcome barriers to accessing care. By training soccer coaches to deliver culturally appropriate support, the lab seeks to foster community connection and enhance health outcomes.

Dr. Alissa Bernstein Sideman's lab focuses on improving the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias within primary care settings. They investigate the experiences of diverse patients and the challenges faced by healthcare providers, particularly in underserved communities. The aim is to identify ways to enhance timely and equitable diagnosis and to inform better policies and interventions for dementia care.

Dr. Yuh Nung Jan's lab at UCSF focuses on understanding how dendrites, the branches of neurons that receive signals, develop and regenerate. The lab uses fruit flies to uncover the genetic and molecular mechanisms that control these processes. This research is important since defects in dendrite development can be linked to neurological disorders like autism and Down syndrome. By studying how neurons communicate and respond to injury, the lab aims to contribute to potential treatments for these conditions.

Dr. Walter Patrick Devine's lab at UCSF focuses on improving clinical testing methods for patients with advanced cancers, particularly those suffering from malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). The research aims to optimize the analysis of cell-free DNA found in the fluid collected during thoracentesis, which is often the only specimen available for diagnosing cancer. By developing standardized protocols for processing this DNA, the team hopes to enhance testing accuracy and efficiency, ultimately benefiting patient care.

Dr. Duan Xu's lab focuses on improving MRI techniques to evaluate glioma patients, who have the most common type of brain tumor. The lab aims to develop new tools and software that make it easier to interpret MR images and track the progression of tumors over time. By integrating metabolic imaging and enhancing the imaging workflow, the lab works to provide clearer insights into tumor behavior and treatment response, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Raul Andino's lab at UCSF focuses on understanding how enteroviruses, which can cause severe illnesses in children, infect cells and tissues. The research utilizes advanced techniques in genomics and single-cell analysis to explore how these viruses replicate and how the body responds to them. The ultimate aim is to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of these infections, leading to the development of better vaccines and antiviral therapies.

Dr. Hannah Cranley Glass's research lab at UCSF focuses on understanding the genetic factors that influence the development of epilepsy in children who have experienced neonatal seizures. By studying a diverse cohort of children, the lab aims to identify genetic changes linked to the increased risk of epilepsy after brain injury. Their work seeks to improve prediction methods for epilepsy risk and refine treatment approaches for affected children, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Dr. Bruce Faddegon's lab at UCSF focuses on improving cancer treatment techniques using particle therapy, which includes protons and carbon ions. They aim to develop more precise treatment planning methods based on a detailed understanding of ionization patterns produced by these therapies. By integrating new prediction models, the lab hopes to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy while minimizing damage to healthy tissue, ultimately improving outcomes for cancer patients.

Dr. Yvonne W. Wu leads research aimed at improving fetal monitoring techniques to prevent neonatal brain injuries. Her lab focuses on analyzing electronic fetal monitoring data to better predict the risk of conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which can lead to serious long-term disabilities in newborns. Through advanced data analysis and machine learning methods, her research seeks to enhance clinical outcomes for infants during labor and delivery.

Dr. Robert Flavell's lab focuses on developing innovative therapies for cancers, specifically targeting CD46 in multiple myeloma and prostate cancer. The research aims to optimize radioimmunotherapy methods that minimize side effects while effectively treating tumors. The lab combines various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, and imaging, to advance cancer treatment strategies and enhance diagnostic methods.

Dr. Heather J. Fullerton's lab focuses on understanding the disease process and treatment options for a condition called focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA), which is a leading cause of strokes in children. The lab is conducting a clinical trial (FOCAS) to compare two treatment strategies using corticosteroids to see which one leads to better health outcomes for affected children. They aim to ensure that children receiving treatment have the best chance of recovery and improvement in their neurological health.