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Investigators & Projects
Listed in alphabetical order
Anton, Eva, PhD
Professor, Cell Biology and Physiology
Research Interests
Cerebral cortical development, Biological basis of neurodevelopmental disorders
Projects
Radial Glial Development and Differentiation
Role of radial glial tiling in the formation and malformation of the cerebral cortex
Belger, Aysenil, PhD
Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
Electrophysiological abnormalities in young autistic children and individuals at high risk for schizophrenia, functional magnetic resonance imaging
Projects
Stress Regulation, Working memory and Cognitive Disorganization in Adolescence
Berg, Jonathan, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Genetics
Research Interests
development and application of genetic tests in patients and their families
Projects
North Carolina Clinical Genomic Evaluation by Next-Gen Exome Sequencing 2
Capal, Jamie K., MD
Associate Professor, Neurology
Research Interests
Neurodevelopmental disorders, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, ASD, Angelman syndrome
Projects
An Open-Label, Multicenter Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of RO7248824 in Participants with Angelman Syndrome
Sirolimus TSC Epilepsy Prevention Study (STEPS)
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Multiple-Center, Efficacy and Safety Study of ZYN002 Administered as a Transdermal Gel to Children and Adolescents with Fragile X Syncrome - RECONNECT
Chan, Dara, ScD, CRC
Assistant Professor, Allied Health Sciences
Research Interests
Community integration and resource use for people with physical and psychiatric disabilities; spatial analysis of accessibility and the environment using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Projects
Using GIS and GPS techniques to understand meaningful participation for adults with autism spectrum disorder
Cohen, Jessica, PhD
Assistant Professor, Psychology and Neuroscience
Research Interests
Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Development, Developmental Disorders, ADHD, Neuroimaging, Functional Connectivity, Graph Theory
Projects
Large-scale brain organization during cognitive control in ADHD
Longitudinal investigation of the neurobiological underpinnings of risk behavior in ADHD throughout the adolescent transition: the key role of cognitive control and motivation network development
Daniels, Julie, PhD
Professor, Epidemiology
Research Interests
Prenatal events and exposures that might lead to autism or developmental disability
Projects
NC CADDRE: Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) Phase III
Deshmukh, Mohanish, PhD
Professor, Cell Biology & Physiology
Research Interests
Neuronal survival and death pathways
Projects
Establishing Apoptotis Thresholds: Insights from Neurons and Stem Cells to Cancer
Dichter, Gabriel, PhD
Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
1) fMRI and psychophysiology of reward processing in autism spectrum disorders; 2) fMRI and psychophysiology of treatment response in autism spectrum disorders; 3) Reward processing in individuals with current and past unipolar depression and risk for future depressive episodes
Projects
Development of A Novel Transdiagnostic Intervention for Anhedonia
Inflammation as a Candidate Mediator of Anhedonia Treatment Response
Carolina SPARK: Carolina Site for the SFARI National Autism Cohort
Diering, Graham, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell Biology & Physiology
Research Interests
understanding the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity with a particular interest in sleep
Projects
Sleep-dependent synapse remodeling during development and Rett syndrome
Evaluating early life pyrethroid exposure and sleep disruption in autism spectrum disorder
Engel, Stephanie, PhD
Professor, Epidemiology
Research Interests
Child development,
Environmental toxicants,
Maternal health,
Reproductive health
Projects
Environmental Influences on Brain Development
Fu, Haiyan, PhD
Associate Professor, Pediatrics
Research Interests
Our major research interest is in developing gene therapy products for the treatment of neuropathic monogenic diseases, which have led to the IND approvals of three Phase I/II systemic rAAV9 gene delivery clinical trials for MPS II, MPS IIIA and MPS IIIB. For effective translation of rAAV gene therapy approaches, our efforts also include developing effective approaches to overcome widespread pre-existing antibodies against AAV in humans. We are also interested in identifying effective biomarkers, especially neuro-specific biomarkers for neurogenetic disorders and neurological diseases in general.
Projects
Facilitate and Enhance the CNS entry of systemically delivered AAV vectors for treating MPS IIIA and MPS IIIB in mice
Rapid Transient Depletion of Pre-existing Antibodies for rAAV Gene Delivery
Gershon, Timothy, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Neurology
Research Interests
Neurobiology of cerebellar development and medulloblastoma
Projects
Defining and quantifying cognitive impairment induced by brain tumor therapy in a mouse model
Defining the crucial role of MAGOH in cerebellar development and the potential for targeting the EJC in medulloblastoma treatment
Bcl-xL-regulated apoptosis in cerebellar development and medulloblastoma treatment
Gilmore, John, MD
Distinguished Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
Imaging early childhood brain development
Projects
Early Brain Development in Twins
The Origins of Preadolescent Risk for Psychiatric Disorders in Early Childhood Brain Development
Girault, Jessica, PhD
Professor, Public Policy
Research Interests
Racial and economic disparities and opportunities for success, family needs and assets, program and services access, quality and experiences
Projects
Genetic Liability for Autism and Infant Brain and Behavior Development
Identifying the role of parental traits in explaining phenotypic Identifying the role of parental traits in explaining phenotypic variability in children with neurogenetic developmental disorders: towards early individualized intervention
Grewen, Karen, PhD
Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
Impact of drug use during pregnancy on central and peripheral oxytocin and stress reactivity mechanisms and mother –infant bonding in both postpartum women and their neonates.
Projects
Effects of prenatal opiates on infant brain neurobehavioral development
Effects of prenatal cocaine on early brain functional connectivity and behavior
Grzadzinski, Rebecca, PhD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
ASD, Down Syndrome, Treatment Outcome, Behavioral trajectories, social arousal and sensory regulation
Projects
Social Communication Deficits and Associated Brain Markers in Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Gupton, Stephanie, PhD
Associate Professor, Cell Biology & Physiology
Research Interests
The overall research goal of my laboratory is to define cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating the development and maintenance of a functional nervous system, and the consequences of their going astray. We are interested particularly in molecules that spatially and temporally coordinate cytoskeletal reorganization at and vesicle delivery to the expanding plasma membrane of developing neurons.
Projects
Exocytosis fuels plasma membrane expansion in developing neurons
Harrop, Clare, PhD
Assistant Professor, Allied Health Sciences
Research Interests
-Restricted and repetitive behaviors in ASD
-Sex differences in ASD
-Early intervention
-Translational research methods
Projects
Female Specific Electrophysiological Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Executive Functions and Behavioral Inflexibility in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD): A Cross-Diagnostic Comparison
Hazlett, Heather, PhD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
Brain development, neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism, fragile X, down syndrome)
Projects
White Matter Pathology in Angelman Syndrome and its Potential as an Outcome Measure in Clinical Trials
Supplement to add cohort of children with Down Syndrome to “Brain and behavior study of autism from infancy through school age”
A Longitudinal MRI Study Characterizing Very Early Brain Development in Infants with Down Syndrome
Piloting an early intervention program for infants with fragile X syndrome
Cellular and molecular mechanisms governing cortical surface area overgrowth in iPSC-derived neural cells from longitudinally characterized autism individuals
Iruka, Iheoma, PhD
Professor, Public Policy
Research Interests
Racial and economic disparities and opportunities for success, family needs and assets, program and services access, quality and experiences
Projects
Effects of Race and Racism on Parenting a Black Child with Autism
Kato, Hiroyuki, PhD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
understand the circuit mechanisms underlying how our brain synthesizes auditory information to extract complex sound features, such as our language
Projects
Excitation-Inhibition Imbalance in Autistic Auditory Cortex and its Effects on Spectro-Temporal Sound Integration
Cortical circuits for temporal integration of multi-frequency sounds
Regulation of sensory representations by global recurrent circuitry across cortical layers
Neural circuits underlying spectro-temporal integration of sounds
Klinger, Laura, PhD
Associate Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
adult outcomes and transition intervention approaches that facilitate positive outcomes with regards to employment, mental health, community integration, and quality of life for individuals with ASD
Projects
Efficacy of a Community College Transition Program for Young Adults with ASD
Examining the Efficacy of the TEACCH School Transition to Employment and Post-Secondary Education Program
Li, Chengwen, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Pediatrics
Research Interests
Gene therapy for genetic neurological and hearing loss diseases
Projects
Optimization of AAV vector delivery for enhanced transduction
Lin, Weili, PhD
Professor, Radiology
Research Interests
Dr. Lin's research interests are two-fold:
Using PET and MR imaging to research cerebral ischemia, both pre-clinically and clinically. Dr. Lin hopes his research in this field will refine how imaging can be used to guide therapy.
Using MR as a means to noninvasively learn about structural and functional brain maturation.
Projects
UNC/UMN Baby Connectome Project
Lorenzo, Damaris, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell Biology and Physiology
Research Interests
Molecular mechanisms of neuronal development and brain connectivity. Neurodevelopmental disorders. Mouse models of callosal agenesis and autism.
Projects
Role of ankyrin-B in the nervous system
Maddox, Brenna, PhD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
Co-occurring psychiatric conditions in people with autism; mental health services; suicide prevention; implementation science
Projects
Biobehavioral Markers of Suicide Risk in Female Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum
Maness, Patricia, PhD
Professor, Biochemistry and Biophysics
Research Interests
understanding the molecular mechanisms governing development of the mammalian nervous system; specifically, mechanisms of axon guidance and synaptic targeting and their disruption in neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders
Projects
Mechanisms of Developmental Spine Pruning Regulated by IGCAMS and Semaphorins
Moy, Sheryl, PhD
Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
Characterization and preclinical efficacy testing in mouse models for neuropsychiatric disorders
Projects
Characterizing the (epi)genetics of oxytocin response in clinical and animal models
Odom, Sam, PhD
Professor, School of Education
Research Interests
Autism Spectrum Disorders: early intervention, treatment comparison of preschool programs; adolescents and secondary programs; professional development
Projects
An Efficacy Study of the School Based National Professional Development Center on ASD Model
O'Shea, Mike, MD
Professor, Pediatrics
Research Interests
Epidemiologic studies of brain damage and neurodevelopmental outcome in very low gestational age newborns; Developmental follow up of participants in neonatal clinical trials.
Projects
Environment, Epigenetics, Neurodevelopment & Health of Extremely Preterm Children
Pardo-Manuel de Villena, Fernando, PhD
Professor, Genetics
Research Interests
evolution, mouse genetics, epigenetics, female meiosis, chromosome segregation, meiotic drive
Projects
Genetics of seizure sensitivity in the Collaborative Cross
Parnell, Scott, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell Biology & Physiology
Research Interests
Pathology, pathogenic mechanisms and genetic susceptibilities underlying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and other drugs of abuse
Projects
Exploring the Genetics of FASD in Complementary Mouse and Fish Models
Cellular Mechanisms in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
In vivo evaluation of safety and pharmacology of the sustained release formulation of dolutegravir in pre-conception and early stages of pregnancy in animal models
Perkins, Diana, MD, MPH
Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
psychosis risk prediction and early intervention, as well as investigations of the genetic basis of schizophrenia
Projects
5/9-Predictors and Mechanisms of Conversion to Psychosis (NAPLS)
Philpot, Ben, PhD
Professor, Cell Biology & PhysiologyAssociate Director, IDDRC Post Doctoral Research Training Program
Research Interests
Identification and validation of novel therapeutics for the treatment of monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders; Understanding the molecular, cellular, and electrophysiological basis for the pathophysiology underlying monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders.
Projects
White Matter Pathology in Angelman Syndrome and its Potential as an Outcome Measure in Clinical Trials
Preclinical testing of NSI-189/190 in Angelman syndrome model mice
TCF4 in Pitt-Hopkins syndrome
Exploration of critical periods for UBE3A overexpression in Dup15q Syndrome and ASD
Piven, Joseph, MD
Director, Carolina Institute for Developmental DisabilitiesThomas E. Castelloe Distinguished Professor, Psychiatry and Pediatrics
Research Interests
pathogenesis of autism, Fragile X - MRI/DTI, genetics, early development
Projects
Brain and Behavior Study of Autism from Infancy through School Age (ACE Network)
An ASD Enriched (ASD-ER) ECHO Cohort
Investigating Air Pollution Effects on the Developing Brain and ASD
MRI based pre-symptomatic prediction of ASD
Metals Dysregulation, Brain Development, and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cellular and molecular mechanisms governing cortical surface area overgrowth in iPSC-derived neural cells from longitudinally characterized individuals with autism
Powell, Cynthia, MD
Professor, Pediatrics and Genetics
Research Interests
Genetics of hearing loss; genetic and chromosomal syndromes; ethical issues in genetics; and newborn screening
Projects
Collaborative Innovation Award Early Check RPPR
Propper, Cathi, PhD
Research Scientist, Center for Develpmental Science
Research Interests
development of infant and child self-regulation from a developmental science perspective
Projects
A Mechanistic Study of the Association Between Poverty and Executive Functions in Early Childhood: Contributions of Early Brain Development and the Early Caregiving Environment
Rodriguez-Romaguera, Jose, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Research Interests
The primary goal of our lab is to dissect the neuronal circuits that drive hyperarousal states by monitoring neuronal activity with single-cell precision using mice as a model system
Projects
Dissecting the Neural Circuits of Hyperarousal States in Psychiatry
Ropp, Tessa-Jonne, PhD
Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology
Research Interests
autism, CAPD, auditory system, hearing loss
Projects
Communication deficits in autism linked to central auditory axonal dysfunction
Roth, Bryan, MD, PhD
Professor, Pharmacology
Research Interests
GPCR Structure and Function,
Synthetic Neurobiology,
Drug Discovery
Projects
Illuminating the Druggable GPCR-ome
Shen, Mark, PhD
Research Interests
Research Interests: (1) To conduct longitudinal neuroimaging and deep phenotyping studies in infants and toddlers to identify early markers and therapeutic targets for neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, Fragile X, and Angelman syndrome. (2) To reverse-translate these findings in children to mechanistic studies in animal models. (3) To forward-translate this research to clinical trials delivering novel therapeutics to individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Projects
Integrating clinical assessment, neuroimaging, and genetics to validate an infant brain anomaly as an early marker for autism.
Cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities in neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, Fragile X, Angelman Syndrome) and corresponding mouse models.
Clinical trials and biomarker discovery in Angelman Syndrome.
Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS; NIH ACE Network)
Sheridan, Margaret, PhD
Assistant Professor, Psychology
Research Interests
neural underpinnings of the development of cognitive control across childhood (from 5-18 years of age) and to understand how and why disruption in this process results in psychopathology
Projects
Do dimensions of adversity differentially predict neural development and psychopathology in young children
Using growth models to identify how trajectories of infant brain development predict childhood behavior and neural function
Shih, Yen-Yu Ian, PhD
Associate Professor, Neurology
Research Interests
High resolution MRI in animal models, fMRI signaling mechanisms, neuromodulation and recording, brain circuit connectivity.
Projects
Mechanisms underlying positive and negative BOLD in the striatum
Song, Juan, PhD
Assistant Professor, Pharmacology
Research Interests
Adult neurogenesis function and regulation
Projects
Neural circuitry mechanisms regulating adult hippocampal neurogenesis
Role of TRIM9 in regulating neurogenesis-associated hippocampal functions
Stein, Jason, PhD
Assistant Professor, Genetics
Research Interests
Exploring how variations in the genome change the structure and development of the brain, and in doing so, create risk for neuropsychiatric illness
Projects
pathQTL: Integrative Multi-Omics Causal Inference of Molecular Mechanisms Leading to Neuropsychiatric Illness
Integrative Analysis of Common Variation Associated with ASD
The influence of common genetic variation on brain overgrowth pathways
Quantifying the developmental trajectory of autism-associated brain overgrowth using 3D cellular resolution imaging
Steinbrenner, Jessica, PhD
Associate Professor, Allied Health Sciences
Research Interests
Autism, social-communication, school-based interventions
Projects
Validation of an Outcome Measure of Early Social-Communication for Young Children With ASD
Styner, Martin, PhD
Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Computer Science
Research Interests
Brain development, human bain MRI analysis, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Evaluation of image processing methodology, Rodent brain MRI analysis, Primate brain MRI analysis, Registration methodology, Structural brain segmentation, etc
Projects
Temporal connectomics for infant brain: neuro-development modulated by pathology
Detection and Correction of Iron Deficiency Induced Abnormal Brain Metabolism
Intergenerational Effects of Maternal Childhood Trauma on the Fetal Brain
Sullivan, Patrick, MD, FRANZCP
Professor, Genetics
Research Interests
complex traits in humans, psychiatric genetics, pharmacogenetics, twin studies, schizophrenia, major depression, nicotine dependence
Projects
1/7 Psychiatric Genomics Consortium: Finding actionable variation
Tomaszewski, Brianne, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry
Research Interests
autism, employment, transition, adaptive behavior, self-determination, adolescence, adulthood, behavioral intervention, intellectual disability, physical activity, quality of life, down syndrome
Projects
Step It Up+: Increasing Physical Activity Levels for Adults with Intellectual Disability
Vernon-Feagans, Lynne, PhD
Professor, FPG Child Development Institute
Research Interests
children at risk – especially African-American children who live in poverty
Projects
Early Life Stress and the Environmental Origins of Disease: a Population-based Prospective Longitudinal Study of Children in Rural Poverty (ECHO)
An Epidemiological and Longitudinal Study of Rural Child Literacy Trajectories
Walsh, Jessica, PhD
Assistant Professor, Pharmacology
Research Interests
Social behavior, stress, aggression, neural circuits, mouse models for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders
Projects
Neural Mechanisms underlying different endophenotypes in mouse models for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Watson, Linda, EdD
Professor, Allied Health Sciences
Research Interests
Autism: early identification, social-communication development, sensory features, early intervention
Projects
Evaluation of a Novel Intervention for Infants at Risk for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Prevalence and profile of treatment non-responders in autism early intervention
Won, Hyejung, PhD
Assistant Professor, Genetics
Research Interests
bridging the gap between genetic risk factors for psychiatric illnesses and neurobiological mechanisms by decoding the regulatory relationships of the non-coding genome
Projects
Integrative Analysis of Common Variation Associated with ASD
Connecting gene regulatory mechanisms in human brain to psychiatric illness
Deciphering Cell-type Specific Regulatory Landscape in Human Brain
Zylka, Mark, PhD
Professor, Cell Biology & Physiology
Research Interests
Mechanisms and therapeutics for autism and pain
Projects
Exacerbation of Chd8+/- phenotypes with a suspected environmental risk
CRISPR/Cas9-based gene therapy for Angelman syndrome
Environmental-use chemicals that target pathways linked to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders
UBE3A gain-of-function and parent-of-origin influence on neurodevelopmental phenotypes
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