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Current Students

This page is currently outdated. A more updated Current Students Database is in development. 

Table lists current NGP students, their emails, year entered, and descriptions of their research interests, advisors, publications, and awards.
Name and Email Year Entered Details
Jason Adams
jwa002@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Cognitive/Behavioral, Cellular

Advisor(s): Alysson Muotri

Research Description: Interested in interested in how microscopic neurological systems, such as neuronal structural and functional interconnectivity, manifest as macroscopic phenomena, including memory, cognition, and behavior.

Fellowships and Awards: CARTA Fellowship
Chimuanya Kween Agba
cagba@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental

Research Description: Interested in developmental neuroscience
Norah Al-Azzam
nhoussie@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Molecular, Computational, Clinical/Translational
Olubankole Aladesuyi Arogundade
oaladesu@ucsd.edu
2014 Research Area: Molecular, Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): John Ravits
Rotation Advisors: Byungkook Lim, Xin Jin, Thomas Hnasko

Research Description: Neuropathology and neurotherapuetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP, ALS Barber Research Award
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30666413/
Debha Amatya
damatya@ucsd.edu
2016 Research Area: Computational

Advisor(s): Fred Gage, Neal Swerdlow
Rotation Advisors: Terry Sejnowski, Jonathan Sebat

Research Description: I apply machine learning and dynamical analysis tools to cellular and molecular data with the goal of better understanding autism spectrum disorder.

Fellowships and Awards: NIH NRSA F30, INC Fellowship
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29301565/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30010719/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31474529/
Zeljana Babic
zbabic@ucsd.edu
2020
Anousheh Bakhti-Suroosh
abakhtis@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular

Research Description: Interested in examining the role of both deleterious and beneficial neural plasticity in the development and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.

Fellowships and Awards: Travel Award, International Study Group Investigating Drugs as Reinforcers
Emily Baltz
etbaltz@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Cellular, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Christina Gremel
Rotation Advisors: Lisa Stowers, Jing Wang

Research Description: Investigating how the convergence of thalamic and cortical inputs in striatum supports decision-making and actions.

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29897332/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29335427/
Andrew Bender
abender@ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Computational, Cognitive/Behavioral

Rotation Advisors: Brad Voytek, John Serences, Sreekanth Chalasani

Research Description: Interested in the computational mechanisms and information processing in the brain underlying cognitive processes.
Stephanie Bohaczuk
sbohaczu@health.ucsd.edu
2015 Research Area: Molecular

Advisor(s): Pamela Mellon
Rotation Advisors: Jerold Chun, Richard Daneman

Research Description: Investigating how genetic variability in an upstream regulatory region of the gene FSHB (encoding a hormone subunit critical for fertility) contributes to reproductive disorders.

Fellowships and Awards: NIH NRSA F31
Alexandra Bosworth
aboswort@health.ucsd.edu
2015 Research Area: Cellular, Developmental

Advisor(s): Nicola Allen
Rotation Advisors: Roberto Malinow, Gentry Patrick

Research Description: Investigating the role of astrocyte secreted glypican 5 in the synaptic development and maturation of the primary visual cortex.

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28938161/
Emma Boyd
eboyd@ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Div Bolar
Rotation Advisors: Sarah Banks

Research Description: Development of novel Magnetic Resonance Imaging methods to characterize cerebrovascular impairment in normal aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and associated dementias.
Leo Breston
lbreston@ucsd.edu
2016 Research Area: Computational, Systems

Advisor(s): Andrea Chiba
Rotation Advisors: Tom Albright, Saket Navlakha, Timothy Gentner

Research Description: Developing causal analysis tools to estimate the functional connectivity of brain networks with the goal of applying the results to models and theory.

Fellowships and Awards: Best Paper Award at 1st Annual Review and Workshop AFOSR
Jillybeth Burgado Carattini
jburgado@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Cellular

Advisor(s): Nicola Allen
Rotation Advisors: Robert Rissman, Greg Lemke

Research Description: Studying the molecular mechanisms underlying how astrocytes influence neuronal synapses in the adult brain, focusing on how aging-related changes to astrocyte properties promote synaptic dysfunctions and neuronal death.

Fellowships and Awards: STARS Graduate Fellowship, Katzin Scholar, NSF GRFP, Ford Foundation Fellowship, HHMI Gilliam Fellowship for Advanced Study
Xiaochun Cai
xic355@ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Xin Jin
Rotation Advisors: Patrick David Hsu, Fred Gage

Research Description: Dissect the thalamic control of action sequencing

Fellowships and Awards: Aileen S. Andrew Foundation Award
Daniela Cassataro
dcassata@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Cellular, Computational, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Ed Callaway
Rotation Advisors: Takaki Komiyama, Christina Gremel, Kay Tye

Research Description: Corticotectal circuits in visually-guided decision-making
Rachel Cassidy
rcassidy@health.ucsd.edu
2015 Advisor(s): Ed Callaway
Rotation Advisors: Jeffry Isaacson,Tatyana Sharpee

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP
Christian Cazares
cazares@ucsd.edu
2016 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Christina Gremel
Rotation Advisors: Bradley Voytek, Jeffrey Isaacson, Sreekanth Chalasani

Research Description: Effects of Alcohol Dependence on the Neural Circuitry Supporting Decision-Making Behavior

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP, Cota Robles, San Diego Fellowship, Society for Neuroscience, Neuroscience Scholars Program Fellow, Research Society on Alcoholism Student Merit Award, SACNAS Conference Travel Award, Yale Ciencia Academy Fellow, SIMULA Summer School in Computational Physiology Travel Award, Society for Neuroscience, Neuroscience Scholars Program Associate,  IME-Becas International Scholarship, Toyota/Hispanic Scholarship Fund Program Scholarship, UAB Neural Conference Travel Award
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30785815/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28666338/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32020644/
Zachary Cecere
zcecere@health.ucsd.edu
2013 Research Area: Computational, Systems

Advisor(s): Sreekanth Chalasani, Tatyana Sharpee
Rotation Advisors: David Kleinfeld
Desi Chu
dcchu@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Ed Callaway
Rotation Advisors: Sung Han, Christina Gremel

Research Description: Investigating the role of local cortical feedback projections in primary visual cortex using in vivo electrophysiology and optogenetics.
Minerva Contreras
m7contre@ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Nicola Allen
Rotation Advisors: Richard Daneman, Sreekanth Chalasani

Research Description: Glia in synaptic plasticity

Fellowships and Awards: UCSD STARS
Isabel Costantino
icostant@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Molecular

Advisor(s): Jerold Chun
Rotation Advisors: Corinne Jolivalt, Susan Ackerman

Research Description: Investigating the genomic and transcriptomic landscape of neurodegenerative tauopathies. Using long-read sequencing, I am exploring somatic gene recombination and transcription of novel gene isoforms.
Gina D'Andrea-Penna
gdandrea@health.ucsd.edu
2016 Research Area: Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Andrea Chiba
Rotation Advisors: Brad Voytek, Viola Stormer, VS Ramachandran

Research Description: temporal processing and integration, both in the brain and in behavior

Fellowships and Awards: NIMH Training Program in Cognitive Neuroscience, San Diego Matching Scholarship
Bethanny Danskin
bdanskin@health.ucsd.edu
2015 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Takaki Komiyama
Rotation Advisors: Byungkook Lim, Ed Callaway

Research Description: Investigating the cortical basis of value-based decision in vivo using calcium imaging and optogenetic inactivation.

Fellowships and Awards: NIH NRSA F31, ARCS Award
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31080067/
James Deng
jdeng@health.ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, Cognitive/Behavioral, Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Nicola Allen
Rotation Advisors: Bing Ren, Li Ye

Research Description: Studying the astrocytic control of neurodevelopmental disorders
Andre DeSouza
andesouz@ucsd.edu
2015 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular

Advisor(s): Brenda Bloodgood
Rotation Advisors: Kenta Asahina, Jeff Isaacson, Martin Goulding

Research Description: Understanding the mechanisms underling NPAS4 expression in CA1
Charles Dickey
cdickey@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Human neurophysiology

Advisor(s): Eric Halgren
Rotation Advisors: Terrence Sejnowski

Research Description: I study memory consolidation during sleep in humans by collecting and analyzing intracranial recordings from patients with intractable epilepsy who are undergoing monitoring for seizure localization prior to therapeutic resection.

Fellowships and Awards: INC Predoctoral Fellowship
Jessica Du
j4du@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental

Advisor(s): Giordano Lippi
Rotation Advisors: Kristin Baldwin, Byungkook Lim, Sung Han, Kay Tye

Research Description: My research aims to uncover molecular pathways that control the developmental trajectory of inhibitory interneurons. I am now leveraging bioinformatic analysis of miRNA regulation, to screen for interneuron development genes.
Peter Fenton
pfenton@ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Cellular, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral, Clinical/Translational

Rotation Advisors: Nicholas Spitzer, Stephanie Dulawa, Kay Tye

Research Description: Using animal models in conjunction with viral and genetic tools to better understand the neural circuits involved in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Iris Garcia-Pak
igarciap@health.ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Cellular, Developmental
Jacob Garrett
jcgarret@health.ucsd.edu
2016
Ryan Golden
rygolden@ucsd.edu
2016 Research Area: Computational, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Maxim Bazhenov
Rotation Advisors: Bradley Voytek, Saket Navlahka

Research Description: Dynamical and information theoretical mechanisms of selective memory assimilation and generalization during sleep in the thalamocortical-hippocampal circuit.

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31449517/ 
Chris Gonzalez
cegonzalez@ucsd.edu
2015 Research Area: Computational, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Eric Halgren, Terrence Sejnowski
Rotation Advisors: Eran Mukamel

Research Description: I study brain rhythms that contribute to memory consolidation during sleep using intracranial recordings from epileptic patients. I also develop nonlinear techniques for analyzing complex time series.

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP, San Diego Matching Fellowship
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30242045, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31675829,
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28541306, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30707917
Julia Gorman
jugorman@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Computational, Systems

Research Description: Interested in the connectivity and neural properties that engender perception
Jess Haley
jahaley@ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Computational, Systems

Advisor(s): Sreekanth Chalasani
Rotation Advisors: Timothy Gentner, Eran Mukamel

Research Description: Studying the computations and variability underlying the neural representation of foraging decisions in the nematode, C. elegans, using calcium imaging and microfluidics.

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP, Salk Women in Science Special Award, NGP Teaching Award
Maggie Henderson
mmhender@ucsd.edu
2015 Research Area: Computational

Advisor(s): John Serences
Rotation Advisors: Tatyana Sharpee, Takaki Komiyama

Research Description: I use fMRI and computational modeling to measure visual representations in the human brain and investigate their role in flexible visually-guided behavior.

Fellowships and Awards: INC Predoctoral Fellowship
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31285275/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30759040/
Joseph Herdy
jrherdy@ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental

Advisor(s): Fred Gage, Jerome Mertens
Rotation Advisors: Saket Navlakah, Sreekanth Chalasani

Research Description: Neuronal Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31099332/
Emily Ho
e2ho@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Pamela Mellon
Nicole Hoffner
nchoffner@health.ucsd.edu
2014 Advisor(s): Gentry Patrick
Rotation Advisors: Bill Joiner, Bradley Voytek, Jeffry Goldberg

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27577719/
James Howe
j3howe@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Systems

Advisor(s): Cory Root
Rotation Advisors: Roberto Malinow, Fred Gage

Research Description: I study the biology of innate attraction and aversion.

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP, NDSEG
Sharon (Hsiang-hsuan) Huang
hsh021@ucsd.edu
2015 Research Area: Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Xin Jin
Rotation Advisors: Fred Gage, Lisa Stowers

Research Description: I am studying neural mechanisms underlying sensori-motor integration supporting action sequence learning.

Fellowships and Awards: Taiwan Government Scholarship to Study Abroad, Salk Women & Science Special Award
Jennifer Jensen
j2jensen@ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Cellular, Systems

Rotation Advisors: Richard Daneman, Amir Zarrinpar, Lisa Stowers
Caroline Jia
cljia@health.ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Sung Han
Rotation Advisors: Axel Nimmerjahn, Richard Daneman

Research Description: Studying the ascending pain pathways in the spinal cord and the circuitry of central sensitization syndromes within the brain.
Megan Kirchgessner
makirchg@health.ucsd.edu
2014 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Edward Callaway
Rotation Advisors: Jaime Pineda, Eric Halgren, Karen Pierce & Eric Courchesne

Research Description: Studying the functional impact of different corticothalamic projections to first- and higher-order thalamic nuclei in the mouse visual system

Fellowships and Awards: NIH NRSA F31, Gordon Research Conference Travel Award to the Thalamocortical Interactions GRC
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32461374/
Vivian Ko
vko@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular

Advisor(s): Dr. John Ravits
Rotation Advisors: Robert Rissman, Jerold Chun, Tariq Rana, Shelley Halpain

Research Description: Molecular mechanism underlying TDP-43 phosphorylation and aggregation in contribution to ALS.
Norah Koblesky
nkoblesk@ucsd.edu
2014 Research Area: Molecular

Advisor(s): Lisa Stowers
Rotation Advisors: Jared Young, Thomas Hnasko, Byungkook Lim

Research Description: Signal Transducer Heterogeneity in the Vomeronasal System, Hormonal Modulation of the Olfactory Sense.
Kenneth Kuhn
kdkuhn@ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular

Advisor(s): Martin Hetzer
Rotation Advisors: Robert Rissman, Nicola Allen

Research Description: I investigate why diseases of proteostatic failure (like neurodegeneration) affect some tissues and cell types more severely than others.

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP (Honorable Mention)
Christopher Lee
crlee@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Kay Tye
Rotation Advisors: Byungkook Lim, Takaki Komiyama

Research Description: Investigating the role of Dorsal Raphe Dopaminergic neurons in processing salient and social stimuli

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP (Honorable Mention)
Ji-An Li
jil095@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Computational, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Research Description: Interested in studying the brain-computational processes of perception, memory, learning, and decision-making, from synaptic, neuronal to cognitive and behavioral levels.
Chung-Yueh (Jeremy) Lin
chl059@health.ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Cellular, Systems

Fellowships and Awards: J Yang Graduate Scholarship 
Ricardo Lozoya
rlozoya@health.ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental

Rotation Advisors: Subhojit Roy

Research Description: Interested in studying genetic modifiers of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease in order to identify pathways that could be targeted for treatment.
Susan Lubejko
slubejko@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Cellular, Systems

Advisor(s): Matthew Banghart
Rotation Advisors: Jeffry Isaacson, Sung Han

Research Description: The focus of my research is to understand how pain is modulated by circuits in the mouse midbrain and brainstem, and how these circuits contribute to opioid drug-induced analgesia.
Uri Magaram
umagaram@health.ucsd.edu
2014 Research Area: Cellular, Systems

Advisor(s): Sreekanth Chalasani
Rotation Advisors: Jeffry Isaacson, Michael Taffe
Brianna Marsh
Bmmarsh@health.ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Computational

Rotation Advisors: Gert Cauwenberghs, Terry Sejnowski, Timothy Gentner, Maxim Bazhenov

Research Description: Computational models of neural processing

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP
Blanca Martin-Burgos
bmartinb@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Molecular, Computational, Systems
Shannan McClain
spmcclai@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Cellular, Systems

Advisor(s): Matthew Banghart
Trevor McPherson
tsmcpher@health.ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Computational
Michael Metke
mmetke@ucsd.ed
2014 Research Area: Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Cory Miller
Rotation Advisors: Eric Halgren, Jamie Pineda

Research Description: Neural encoding of vision and space in marmoset hippocampus

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31815940/
Audrey Miglietta
amiglietta@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Clinical/Translational
Raymundo Miranda
rlmirand@health.ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Cellular, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Rotation Advisors: Matthew Lovett-Barron

Research Description: Interested in the neural dynamics of social interaction and social reward
Nicole Mlynaryk
nmlynary@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Takaki Komiyama
Rotation Advisors: Stefan Leutgeb, Ed Callaway

Research Description: Investigating the role of retrosplenial cortical circtuitry in value-based decision making using two-photon calcium imaging, optogenetic perturbation, and behavioral modeling techniques.

Fellowships and Awards:  Quantitative Integrative Biology (QIB) Training Grant, ARCS Foundation Scholar
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31080067/
Jacqueline Mosko
jmosko@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Developmental, Systems
Juliet Nicodemus
jnicodem@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Amir Zarrinpar
Rotation Advisors: Richard Daneman, Nicole Coufal
Peter Osseward
possewar@ucsd.health.edu
2014 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental

Advisor(s): Sam Pfaff
Rotation Advisors: Ed Callaway, Xin Jin

Research Description: Molecular, cellular, and developmental characterization of spinal neurons

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30954861/
Grace Padilla
g1padilla@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Cellular, Systems

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP (Honorable Mention)
Maribel Patiño
mapatino@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Molecular, Systems

Advisor(s): Ed Callaway
Rotation Advisors: Christina Gremel, Larry Goldstein

Research Description: Developing a circuit mapping technology by combining rabies tracing with single cell transcriptomics. Investigating the efficiency of monosynaptic rabies tracing.

Fellowships and Awards: Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship, Society for Neuroscience - Neuroscience Scholars Program Fellow
Anja Payne
ahiggins@ucsd.edu
2015 Research Area: Cellular, Systems

Advisor(s): Brenda Bloodgood
Rotation Advisors: Takaki Komiyama, Christina Gremel

Research Description: In the lab we study an inducible transcription factor, NPAS4, that is 'turned on' when a cell is depolarized, resulting in reorganization of inhibitory synapses. This reorganization has implications for the cell's future activity. I am studying the effects of NPAS4 expression using in vivo recordings in CA1 of the hippocampus in awake, behaving mice.

Fellowships and Awards: Interfaces Training Grant, NIH NRSA F31
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30052197/
Michael Preston
mpreston@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Computational
Catie Profaci
cprofaci@health.ucsd.edu
2014 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular

Advisor(s): Richard Daneman
Rotation Advisors: Byungkook Lim, Sreekanth Chalasani

Research Description: I study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of blood-brain barrier function in health and disease. I focus on endothelial cells, the cells that form the inner walls of blood vessels.

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP, CARTA Fellowship, NIH NRSA F31, NGP Leon Thal Award
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32211826/
Haylie Romero
hkromero@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular

Rotation Advisors: Takaki Komiyama, Gulcin Pekkurnaz, Wendy Campana, Paula Desplats

Research Description: I am studying how Schwann cell-mediated changes following a peripheral nervous system injury regulate neuron physiology and pain.

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31680797/
Burke Rosen
bqrosen@ucsd.edu
2015 Research Area: Computational, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Eric Halgren
Rotation Advisors: Bradley Voytek, Terrence Sejnowski, Cory Miller

Research Description: I study the structural and functional connectivity of the human brain during ethological behaviors, including sleep, by applying data science approaches to MEG, MRI, and both scalp & intracranial EEG.

Fellowships and Awards: INC Predoctoral Fellowship, Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind Innovative Research Grant
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30242045, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29949575, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30300700
Marley Rossa
mrossa@health.ucsd.edu
2016 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Edward Callaway
Rotation Advisors: Jeffry Isaacson, Timothy Gentner

Research Description: Functional Interlaminar Connectivity in Mouse Primary Visual Cortex
Meghan Rossi
mjrossi@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Cellular

Advisor(s): Richard Daneman
Rotation Advisors: Gulcin Pekkurnaz, Nicola Allen, Axel Nimmerjahn

Research Description: In the Daneman lab, I examine interactions between the periphery and the blood-brain barrier. Namely, I research the modulatory effects of signals present in the bloodstream due to exercise and consumption of different diets.

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30875521/
Junmi Saikia
jsaikia@ucsd.edu
2016 Research Area: Molecular

Advisor(s): Binhai Zheng
Rotation Advisors: Roberto Malinow, Subhojit Roy, Kristin Baldwin, Greg Lemke

Research Description: Our lab is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of cellular repair in the spinal cord; I leverage mouse genetics to knock out genes of interest, as well as various spinal cord injury techniques, to assess changes in axonal regeneration and sprouting.

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26642089/
Elischa Sanders
ejsander@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Eiman Azim
Chiaki Santiago
c5santia@ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Systems

Advisor(s): Byungkook Lim
Rotation Advisors: Chih-Ying Su, Brenda Bloodgood

Research Description: Understanding the underlying biology associated with reward-based learning in different neuropsychiatric disease models.
Timothy Sheehan
tsheehan@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Computational, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): John Serences
Rotation Advisors: Timothy Gentner, Saket Navlakha

Research Description: The role of expectation on perception using fMRI decoding techniques on early visual cortex.

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30509984/
Zarek Siegel
zssiegel@ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Computational

Advisor(s): Eric Halgren, Maxim Bazhenov
Rotation Advisors: Gert Cauwenberghs, Timothy Gentner

Research Description: Developing models of electrical stimulation of the cortex
Sammi Sison
slsison@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Gene Yeo
Rotation Advisors: Kristin Baldwin, Alysson Muotri

Research Description: Understanding RNA metabolism in Huntington's disease using high-throughput genomic techniques and stem cell neuronal models.

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP, Ford Predoctoral Fellowship (Honorable Mention), Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Scholar
Seraphina Solders
ssolders@ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Computational, Cognitive/Behavioral, Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Larry Frank, Mark Bondi
Rotation Advisors: John Ravits, Adam Aron

Research Description: I am helping to develop MRI analysis tools to look for biomarkers of preclinical Alzheimer's disease. I am especially interested in brainstem regions such as the locus coeruleus.

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP
Yuru  Song
yus027@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Computational, Systems

Research Description: Interested in computational neuroscience
Sydney Smith
s1smith@health.ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Computational

Advisor(s): Bradley Voytek
Denis Smirnov
dsmirnov@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Jim Brewer

Fellowships and Awards: NIH NRSA F30
Emma Spillman
espillma@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Systems
Lauren Stanwicks
lstanwic@health.ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Developmental, Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Research Description: Interested in how immune and environmental perturbations, in development or otherwise, can lead the permanent functional changes in brain circuits seen in disease states.
Sheila Steiner
ssteiner@ucsd.health.edu
2020 Research Area: Cellular, Systems
Daniel Stern
dbstern@health.ucsd.edu
2015 Advisor(s): Cory Root
Rotation Advisors: Eiman Azim, Xin Jin, Adam Aron, Virginia DeSa

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP
Louise Stolz
lostolz@health.ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Cognitive/Behavioral, Clinical/Translational

Research Description: Interested in studying mental health disorders
Tim Tadros
tttadros@ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Computational, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Maxim Bazhenov
Rotation Advisors: Saket Navlakha, Tatyana Sharpee, Jerold Chun

Research Description: Understanding the computational role of sleep in memory consolidation and learning
Amy Taylor
a2taylor@ucsd.edu
2016 Research Area: Cellular, Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): John Ravits
Rotation Advisors: Gregory Light, Jared Young

Research Description: Examining the biological, neuropathological and therapeutic role of Ataxin-2 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis while assessing target engagement and efficacy of Ataxin-2-targeting antisense oligonucleotide therapy.

Fellowships and Awards: San Diego Matching Fellowship, NIH NRSA F30, ALS Association Private Grant
Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/29196813/ ; http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41593-020-0619-5 
Benjamin Temple 2017 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Sam Pfaff
Rotation Advisors: Jeffry Isaacson, Sung Han

Research Description: Neuronal control of locomotion
Kevin Tenerelli
k1tenere@health.ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Eric Nudleman, Richard Daneman
Rotation Advisors: Hollis Cline, Derek Welsbie, Karl Wahlin, Jonathan Lin

Research Description: Interested in blood-retinal barrier dysfunction in blinding eye diseases and elucidating mediators of fibrosis in the retina.
Brad Theilman
btheilma@health.ucsd.edu
2014 Research Area: Computational, Systems

Advisor(s): Timothy Gentner
Rotation Advisors: Eran Mukaml, Tatyana Sharpee
Joyce Tran
jot013@ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Molecular

Advisor(s): Susan Ackerman
Ben Tsuda
btsuda@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Computational, Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Terry Sejnowski
Rotation Advisors: Kenta Asahina

Research Description: Modeling of forms of memory encoding and manipulation in neural networks
Alicia Van Enoo
avanenoo@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular

Rotation Advisors: Francesca Telese, Ronald Ellis, Wendy Campana

Research Description: Studying the role of the Schwann cell NMDAR receptor in nerve physiology and pain
Juan  Vasquez
jhvasque@health.ucsd.edu
2020 Research Area: Cellular, Cognitive/Behavioral
Melonie Vaughn
Mnvaughn@health.ucsd.edu
2019

Research Area: Molecular, Cognitive/Behavioral, Clinical/Translational

Advisor(s): Victoria Risbrough
Rotation Advisors: Hollis Cline, Sreekanth Chalasani, Karen Pierce

Research Description: Studying traumatic brain injury and exosomes

Fellowships and Awards: Cota Robles Fellowship

Helen Wang
h6wang@health.ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): Edward Callaway
Rotation Advisors: Samuel Pfaff, Nicola Allen

Research Description: contribution of parallel input channels to spatiotemporal frequency and visual speed tuning in mouse higher visual areas
Kevin White
kwhitejr@health.ucsd.edu
2016 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular

Advisor(s): Gentry Patrick

Research Description: I study the cellular and molecular mechanisms that define neuronal plasticity through understanding protein degradation and homeostasis

Fellowships and Awards: UC-HBCU, NGP Teaching Award
Oren Wilcox
orwilcox@health.ucsd.edu
2019 Research Area: Molecular, Cellular, Systems

Rotation Advisors: Edward Callaway, Eiman Azim, Gulcin Pekkurnaz

Research Description: Interested in understanding the genetic programs and bioenergetic adaptations unique to neuronal cell types, to uncovering how motor systems enable skilled and dynamic movements.
Xinyue Xia
xiixa@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Computational

Advisor(s): Gal Mishne
Rotation Advisors: Brad Voytek, Maxim Bazhenov, Tatyana Sharpee

Research Description: Neural Data Analysis
Ege Yalcinbas
eyalcinb@ucsd.edu
2015 Research Area: Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral

Advisor(s): Christina Gremel
Rotation Advisors: Robert Rissman, Sreekanth Chalasani, Nicola Allen

Research Description: In the Gremel Lab, using mouse models, I study higher-order thalamocortical interactions in decision-making.

Fellowships and Awards: NSF GRFP (Honorable Mention), NIH NRSA F31, NGP Teaching Award
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29897332/
Pantong Yao
p1yao@health.ucsd.edu
2018 Research Area: Systems

Advisor(s): David Kleinfeld
Rotation Advisors: Takaki Komiyama, Stefan Leutgeb

Research Description: Imaging the brainstem oscillator for the orofacial behavior with adaptive optics.
Huanqiu Zhang
huz015@ucsd.edu
2017 Research Area: Computational

Advisor(s): Tatyana Sharpee
Rotation Advisors: Angela Yu, Maxim Bazhenov

Research Description: hierarchical information processing in neural systems

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