Introduction

The nervous system has an incredibly important, and challenging task – it must take in information from the world around us, process that information, and direct our behavior appropriately. To do this, it must develop and maintain ~100 trillion precise synaptic connections among its ~100 billion neurons. How is such a feat achieved? We know that the development of mature synaptic circuitry occurs in a two-step process: synapse formation and selective synapse elimination. Disrupting synapse formation leads to intellectual disability, chronic pain, and impaired recovery after stroke, while perturbations in synapse elimination are associated with epilepsy, autism, schizophrenia, and synaptic loss leading to cognitive decline in aging and in neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, ensuring that the mechanisms underlying synapse formation and elimination occur at the right time and place is essential for brain health across the lifespan.

While neurons themselves play an important role in this process, glia are also required to coordinate synapse formation and elimination. Why involve glia in this process? What relevant information do glia have and how do they share that information with neurons? How do these cells ultimately work together to decide when and where synapse formation and elimination should occur?

Our lab uses a combination of genetic, biochemical, imaging and behavioral approaches to unravel how neurons and glia work together to create and maintain a functional nervous system. We use and build upon the powerful tools available in fruit flies to rapidly identify and dissect the fundamental biological pathways underlying neuron-glia interactions. We take advantage of mouse models to examine how these same pathways contribute to pathological changes in aging and disease.

In addition to our goal to push the field forward scientifically, we are committed to the training and development of all members of the lab. We are all working together to grow as creative, independent, critical thinkers who approach science with a spirit of curiosity and play. We are committed to each other’s growth and success, celebrating the strengths of each lab member, and helping them grow toward wherever their next steps lead.  

Current Positions

Assistant Professor of Neuroscience & Pharmacology

Education

• BS in Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• BS in Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• PhD in Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University

Graduate Program Affiliations

• Neuroscience

Center, Program, and Institute Affiliations

• Center for Neurodegeneration
• Iowa Neuroscience Institute