People

Lily Jan, PhD

Professor

Physiology

Potassium Channels and Calcium-activated Chloride Channels

Conserved among eukaryotes and prokaryotes, potassium channels modulate neuronal signaling in the brain and peripheral nervous system, regulate cell volume and the flow of salt across epithelia, and control heart rate, vascular tone, and the release of hormones such as insulin. They further protect neurons and muscles under metabolic stress.

David Julius, PhD

Professor

Chair

Physiology

[email protected]

The Molecular Biology of Nociception and Pain

We are interested in the molecular biology of sensory transduction and neurotransmitter action in the mammalian nervous system. A main goal is to understand the molecular basis of somatosensation - the process whereby we experience touch and temperature - with an emphasis on identifying molecules that detect noxious (pain-producing) stimuli. We are also interested in understanding how somatosensation is altered in response to tissue or nerve injury.

Vijay Mohan K Namboodiri, PhD

Assistant Professor

Neurology

[email protected]

Research in the Namboodiri lab will focus on the biological algorithms and neuronal network mechanisms underlying associative learning, memory and decision-making. We will conduct this research in mice as an animal model. In addition to investigating these processes at a basic level, we are especially interested in understanding how these mechanisms go awry in diseases such as addiction. Lastly, we are also interested in developing theoretical and computational models of associative learning and decision-making.

Martin Kampmann, PhD

Associate Professor

Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases

and Biochemistry and Biophysics

[email protected]

Functional genomics to understand molecular mechanisms of brain function and disease

Research Description

Aimee Kao, MD, PhD

Associate Professor

Neurology

[email protected]

The molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease

Saul Kato, PhD

Associate Professor

Neurology

Foundations of Cognition and Neural Computation

Our lab develops and applies computational, cutting-edge engineering (software, hardware, and genomic), and experimental approaches to basic neuroscience and builds theories of brain function. We also collaborate with other labs to apply our tools to probe brain dysfunction and disease. We are a hybrid experimental-computational lab and welcome members from diverse scientific and technical backgrounds.

Mazen Kheirbek, PhD

Associate Professor

Psychiatry

Neural circuits for emotional behaviors

The primary goal of our research is to delineate the neuronal circuits that underlie emotional behavior so that we may understand how they may be disrupted in mood and anxiety disorders. For this, we use a combination of approaches in mouse models including population calcium imaging, optogenetics, behavior, neural circuit tracing and high-density electrophysiology, in order to control genetically identified brain networks in real time.

Yuriy Kirichok, PhD

Professor

Physiology

[email protected]

Electrical Signaling at the Mitochondrion in Health and Disease

ChrIstoph Kirst, PhD, MS, BS

Assistant Professor

Anatomy

[email protected]

Research Description

We develop theory and dynamical systems tools, machine learning and data analysis algorithms, and whole brain mapping methods to characterize and understand flexible brain function

Current Projects