Neuroscience Research Center

Faculty Labs

The Aronow Lab advances genomic medicine through collaborative, translational bioinformatics research, developing innovative algorithms, tools, and informatics systems that integrate diverse data and disciplines to generate high‑impact biomedical insights.

Our lab studies the neural circuits that control breathing and develops strategies to restore respiratory function in neurological, neuromuscular, and spinal cord disorders.

Our lab studies how epilepsy develops by investigating cellular and molecular changes—particularly disrupted mTOR signaling and abnormal hippocampal neuron integration—to guide new treatments and prevention strategies.

Our lab studies the immunological and molecular mechanisms of pregnancy and neonatal immunity to improve protection against life-threatening infections and reduce pregnancy-related complications.

Our lab is broadly interested in understanding how the body and brain encode environmental stimuli, such as daily changes in light and feeding patterns, to timely coordinate physiology and behavior.

The human body’s vast diversity of specialized cells arises from a single shared genome, and the Gebelein Lab investigates how transcription factors differentially interpret this genome to direct cell, tissue, and organ development using conserved genetic pathways across flies, mice, and human stem cell models.

Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy, autism, and related brain disorders to identify shared therapeutic targets and develop new treatment strategies.

The Hogenesch lab studies transcriptional outputs of the clock in animal models and humans.

Our lab studies pediatric hearing development and disorders to understand the mechanisms of human communication and improve diagnosis and treatment in children.

Our lab studies how sensory neurons become sensitized, especially in musculoskeletal pain and development, to better understand pediatric pain mechanisms and inform new treatments.

Our lab focuses on understanding mammalian eye development by investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of lens induction and morphogenesis, as well as vascular regression and angiogenesis.

Our lab studies the causes and mechanisms of pediatric hydrocephalus to develop improved treatments and enhance long-term outcomes and quality of life for affected children.

Our lab investigates hearing and its connections to communication and neuroscience to better understand auditory processing and its role in human communication.

Our lab integrates clinical and research approaches to study autism spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome, and Angelman syndrome, with the goal of understanding their causes and developing targeted treatments to improve quality of life.

The Ratner Research Lab investigates how glial cell–axon interactions shape nervous system development and disease, with a particular focus on uncovering the mechanisms underlying NF1- and NF2-associated nerve tumors to inform new therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders and cancer.

The Robinson Lab Research investigates how neural circuits governing motivation, reward, and attention are disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders—particularly neurofibromatosis type 1—using cutting-edge molecular, imaging, and gene therapy approaches to advance treatments for pediatric brain diseases.

Our lab uses advanced optical imaging technologies to better understand seizure activity and improve the accuracy, safety, and effectiveness of epilepsy diagnosis and surgical treatment.

The Sun Lab is focused on understanding the pathogenesis of Gaucher disease and other lysosomal storage diseases for development of specific therapies, and the roles of saposins in glycosphingolipids metabolism and neurodegeneration.

The Tchieu Research Lab uses human pluripotent stem cell–derived glial cells and advanced brain organoid models to study human neurodevelopment and uncover how astrocytes and microglia contribute to neurological disease.

Our lab studies neurovascular development, stroke risk, and brain regeneration to better understand cerebrovascular disease and develop innovative therapies for children.

Our lab studies how genetic mutations, environmental exposures, and proton radiation affect brain development and contribute to neurological and cognitive disorders.