Schwartzman, Jessica
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
The Training and Research to Empower NeuroDiversity (TREND) Lab uses multi-method approaches, including electroencephalogram (EEG), behavioral observation and clinical interviews to study risk and protective factors for depression, suicide, and other mental health outcomes in youth with autism and other neurodivergent conditions. We also partner with autistic and other neurodivergent people to adapt and design treatments for the individual and family. The TREND Lab focuses on characterizing and treating adverse mental health outcomes in youth with autism and other neurodivergent conditions.
Tabbaa, Manal
Research in the Tabbaa lab leverages genetically diverse mouse genetic reference panels to model individual differences in complex behaviors and susceptibility to a high-confidence autism risk gene. The goal of these projects is to better model genetically diverse populations in mice in order to address the challenging issue of developmental heterogeneity and genetic risk factor susceptibility in human neurodevelopmental disorders.
Tao, Huizhong W.
Professor of Physiology and Neuroscience
My lab studies how the mouse brain processes visual information and transforms it into behavior. Our research focuses on identifying the neural circuits involved in visual perception and how these circuits drive visually guided actions. We use a combination of techniques—including electrophysiology to record neural activity, microendoscopic calcium imaging to monitor populations of neurons in freely moving animals, and both optogenetics and chemogenetics to precisely manipulate specific circuit components. By integrating these approaches, we aim to understand how visual signals are encoded, transmitted, and used to guide behavior at the level of individual neurons and larger networks.
Valadez, Emilio
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Our lab focuses on understanding how early risk factors, such as temperament and early adversity, confer risk for future emotional problems among children and adolescents. More specifically, we are interested in how executive functions (assessed with a combination of behavioral, EEG, and MRI measures) moderate the psychiatric impact of early-life risk factors. Three interrelated questions spanning basic and translational work guide our research: 1) How are executive functions supported by the brain? 2) How do early risk factors alter the development of executive functions? 3) How do executive functions interact with early risk to modulate psychiatric outcomes? Ultimately, our work aims to better understand basic cognitive and developmental processes to identify novel target mechanisms for intervention.
Wood, Ruth
Professor of Integrative Anatomical Sciences
My research uses rodent models to study behavioral neuroendocrinology, how hormones act in the brain during development and in adulthood to control behavior in males and females. My emphasis is on hormonal control of cognition, cooperative behavior, and reward. Current research addresses how oxytocin promotes cooperation, and how anabolic steroid abuse impairs cognition.
