Bienkowski, Michael
Assistant Professor of Physiology and Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering
Our lab investigates brain cell types, their susceptibility to disease, and how biomedical treatments can slow or prevent neurodegeneration. We have a wide variety of collaborative research projects using animal models of retinal diseases and Alzheimer’s disease (mice, rats, rabbits) as well as studies in post-mortem human samples. We use cutting-edge multidisciplinary approaches to characterize brain cell types and their neurodegeneration including viral tract tracing connectomics, spatial transcriptomics, 3D neuronal reconstruction, and digital pathology/machine learning.
Boato, Francesco
The Functional Repair and Axonogenesis (FRA) lab investigates how the central nervous system (CNS) is wired during development and how these pathways can be reactivated and modulated to promote repair after injury, particularly in the spinal cord and optic nerve. We study growth pathways, axon guidance cues, and neuron-glia interactions that shape connectivity in the CNS. By combining genetic, molecular, behavioral and advanced imaging approaches, we examine neuronal migration, synaptogenesis, and responses to injury. Our goal is to uncover fundamental mechanisms that can be leveraged to drive regeneration, circuit formation and functional recovery in neurological disorders. Trainees will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment and will gain experience at the interface of developmental neurobiology and CNS regeneration.
Bonaguidi, Michael
Associate Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
Cognitive impairment (CI) is a burdensome neurological condition that occurs during aging, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and is a common co-morbidity in many neurodegenerative diseases, including epilepsy. Unfortunately, CI prevalence continues to accelerate due to population aging and emerging therapies only slows CI by a few months. Our research seeks to develop regenerative medicine and provide longer-lasting benefits to CI through brain restoration. We are establishing endogenous brain regeneration as a therapeutic approach for CI in pre-clinical animals and people by (1) investigating neural stem cell behavior in aging, AD and epilepsy, (2) developing computational/AI drug discovery tools for precision medicine to treat CI, and (3) partnering with physicians for human research and clinical trials to translate our findings.
Borzage, Matthew
We focus on innovative imaging-based tools to understand the brain’s vascular, hemodynamic, and metabolic conditions across the lifespan. This physiology is essential to provide adequate nutrients and remove the metabolic byproducts of the brain. Without intact physiology, brain health suffers from early maturation throughout brain aging. Our studies investigate diseases and therapeutics that impair the ability of the brain to adequately supply itself with blood and metabolites, or that inhibit its ability to remove metabolic byproducts. We collaborate with studies and trials seeking interventions that could protect or restore this essential physiology.
Braskie, Meredith
Assistant Professor of Neurology
We use neuroimaging, fluid biomarkers, environmental and genetic risk factors, and comorbidities to better understand Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk - particularly the mechanisms underlying earliest brain characteristics that may signal or contribute to future cognitive decline. I am especially interested in the contributions of vascular, metabolic, and inflammatory risk to AD-relevant brain measures in older adults. I am also interested in disease heterogeneity and how it relates to health disparities and sex differences.
Chang, Karen T.
Associate Professor of Physiology and Neuroscience
Our lab is interested in understanding how neurons communicate with high fidelity to support complex brain functions. We aim to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms that enable precise synaptic signaling and to explore how disruptions in these processes contribute to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a genetically tractable model system, we integrate electrophysiology, molecular biology, confocal imaging, proteomics, and behavioral analysis to investigate synaptic function and plasticity.
