Neurogenetics

BIOGRAPHY

ACADEMIC POSITION:
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

EDUCATION:
• MS & BS, summa cum laude, Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, 1991, Yale University
• PhD in Molecular Neuroscience, 1998, Rockefeller University (in laboratory of Nathaniel Heintz)
• MD, 2000, Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Medicine Intern, 2001, New York-Presbyterian Hospital
• Hereditary Disease Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, 2001-2002, in laboratory of Nathaniel Heintz at Rockefeller University

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
• Mouse models to study pathogenesis and treatment of Huntington's disease (HD): we have used Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC)-mediated transgenic technology and the conventional gene targeting technology to develop a series of conditional mouse models for HD. Our current research is focused on the following areas: Pathological cell-cell interactions in HD; Genetic suppression of HD in mice; Full length mutant Huntingtin toxicities in vivo.

• Developing novel genetic models of Parkinson's disease (PD) in mice: We are applying BAC transgenic technology to develop novel genetic models of PD in mice. Such models may help to unravel molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying PD.

• Development and function of the striatal medium spiny neurons: We are interested in identifying and analyzing novel genes that are involved in development and function of the striatal medium spiny neurons. These neurons are critically involved in pathogenesis of HD and PD as well as several other neuropsychiatric disorders including drug addiction and schizophrenia.