Akram N Alshawabkeh · Engineering
Dr. Akram Alshawabkeh's lab focuses on the impact of environmental factors on child health and development, especially in Puerto Rico. They study how exposures during pregnancy and early childhood can affect obesity, neurodevelopment, and reproductive health. By gathering data and biological samples from a large cohort of children and pregnant women, the team aims to inform public health policies and interventions in the U.S.
Susanne M Jaeggi · Psychology
Dr. Susanne M. Jaeggi's lab focuses on enhancing cognitive function and auditory processing in older adults, particularly in relation to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The research explores the use of music-based interventions to help improve speech comprehension in noisy environments while also examining executive function training strategies. By understanding the mechanisms behind these interventions, the lab aims to develop effective, accessible solutions to mitigate cognitive decline and promote better mental health in aging populations.
Aaron R Seitz · Chemistry
Dr. Aaron R. Seitz's lab at Northeastern University focuses on understanding and improving cognitive training interventions for adolescents, especially those with ADHD. The research aims to explore how different methods of cognitive training affect working memory and executive functions, with an emphasis on creating reliable and effective tools that can be widely shared. The lab emphasizes transparency in research by promoting open science and data sharing, ensuring the findings can benefit both healthcare professionals and broader communities.
Diomedes E. Logothetis · Pharmacology
Dr. Diomedes E. Logothetis leads a research lab focused on understanding and treating epilepsy and heart diseases, specifically through the study of ion channels, which are crucial for cell communication. The lab works on innovative therapies for Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy in children, by investigating how activators of potassium channels can improve cellular function when sodium channels are impaired. Additionally, the lab aims to develop targeted drug therapies to address both atrial fibrillation and thrombosis by manipulating specific ion channels in the heart and blood platelets.
Mark Jonathan Niedre · Engineering
Mark Jonathan Niedre's lab focuses on developing innovative techniques to monitor circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in real-time within living models. By using a novel non-invasive optical method, they aim to study how CTCs influence metastasis in various cancers, particularly in response to treatments like radiation. This research could lead to significant advancements in understanding cancer progression and improving therapeutic approaches.
Predrag Radivojac · Chemistry
Dr. Predrag Radivojac's lab at Northeastern University focuses on using advanced machine learning techniques to interpret genetic information from the human genome. Their research aims to better understand how genetic variations influence molecular functions and lead to different phenotypes or diseases. The lab strives to integrate computational models with experimental data to improve the accuracy of genetic variant assessment, ultimately benefiting clinical outcomes in genomic medicine.
Meni Wanunu · Physics
The research lab of Meni Wanunu focuses on developing innovative technologies to analyze RNA molecules directly, aiming to improve our understanding of RNA's roles in biology and disease. They utilize advanced methods like electro-optical zero mode waveguides to create high-throughput, low-input RNA sequencing techniques. By addressing limitations of current RNA sequencing methods, they aim to enable the detection of RNA modifications with greater accuracy and efficiency.
Dagmar Sternad · Biology
Dr. Dagmar Sternad's lab explores how humans control complex objects, such as a cup of coffee. Their research aims to understand how motor control strategies can make these interactions more predictable, which is crucial for individuals with motor impairments. By using both virtual simulations and real-life experiments, the lab aims to develop new ways to assess motor function and recovery in patients after strokes, ultimately helping to improve the quality of life for those with neurological conditions.
Ganesh A Thakur · Pharmacology
Dr. Ganesh A. Thakur's lab focuses on developing innovative treatments for chronic neuropathic pain without the addiction risks associated with opioids. The team investigates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and cannabinoid receptors to create new non-addictive analgesics. By exploring small-molecule probes and their effects on pain pathways, the lab aims to improve pain management for millions suffering from chronic conditions.
Alexandros Makriyannis · Pharmacology
Dr. Alexandros Makriyannis's lab at Northeastern University focuses on understanding the roles of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in treating various health conditions, particularly pain and inflammation. They design and develop innovative drug candidates that selectively modulate these receptors to create therapies with fewer side effects. The research not only explores the structure and function of these receptors but also aims to use this knowledge to identify new treatment options for diseases such as addiction and fibrotic disorders.
Nikolai Slavov · Engineering
Dr. Nikolai Slavov's lab focuses on understanding Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by studying the abnormal and mis-processed proteins that accumulate in the brain. The research combines cutting-edge techniques in proteogenomics and mass spectrometry to analyze these proteins in different brain regions and cell types. By identifying how these proteins contribute to AD, the lab aims to uncover insights that could lead to new therapeutic targets for the disease.
Guohao Dai · Engineering
Dr. Guohao Dai's lab at Northeastern University focuses on understanding how certain proteins, known as Sox13 and Sox17, influence the behavior of blood vessel cells. By studying the differences between arterial and venous cells, the lab aims to improve how blood vessels adapt to changes in blood flow. Their work could lead to better treatments for vascular diseases and improvements in tissue-engineered grafts used in medicine.
Lei Wang · Engineering
Dr. Lei Wang's lab at Northeastern University focuses on developing innovative RNA-based sensors that can accurately detect specific cell types in real-time. The lab's research bridges synthetic biology and biomedical applications, aiming to improve therapeutic responses for diseases like cancer by using advanced RNA technologies. Students will learn how to engineer RNA circuits to monitor cellular signals, paving the way for more targeted medical interventions.
Mark C Williams · Physics
Dr. Mark C. Williams' lab investigates how proteins that interact with DNA, known as nucleosome chaperones, help manage gene expression by altering the accessibility of DNA. This research has implications for understanding processes like cancer and viral infections, particularly focusing on how specific modifications to proteins can affect their function. By using advanced techniques to study these interactions at a molecular level, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic targets for diseases such as cancer and HIV.