People

Jessica L. MacDonald, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience

Postdoc: Harvard University

PhD: Neuroscience, University of British Columbia

Hons. BSc: Physiology, University of Toronto at Mississauga

Email: jemacdon@syr.edu

Angelica Kowalchuk, PhD

Research Associate

BS Biology/Microbiology, BYU-Idaho
PhD Integrative Genetics and Genomics, UC Davis

Ashis Sinha, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

B.Sc. Physiology University of Calcutta

M.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Calcutta

PhD: Neuroscience, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Rett Syndrome is a severe debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder. Currently there is no effective treatment for this devastating disease. My project focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the neuronal and cortical phenotypes seen in Rett syndrome. I am currently looking at the role of different types of cells in the nervous system in contributing to Rett Syndrome pathology. My ultimate goal is to use this knowledge and understanding to develop effective therapeutic interventions for treating this disorder and improving the quality of life of patients affected by this condition.

C.J. Arnell

PhD Candidate

BSc Biochemistry University of Hertfordshire
MRes Molecular Biology University of Hertfordshire

Cited2 has been found to be a key regulator of cortical expansion and development of callosal projection neurons in the mammalian brain. Disruptions in Cited2 lead to behavioural deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. My project focuses on the regulation of Cited2 and how CITED2 modulates the epigenetic landscape, which leads to gene expression changes that control the development of the neocortex.

Nasim Khatibi

PhD Candidate

BSc Cellular and Molecular Biology

My project focuses on vitamin D modulation to restore homeostasis to multiple disrupted pathways as a therapeutic approach for Rett syndrome.

Sara Brigida

PhD Candidate

BA Neuroscience Skidmore College

My project focuses on further characterizing the role of Cited2 in cortical development and investigating folic acid as a means to improve deficits caused by loss of Cited2 function.

Undergraduate Researchers:

Catherine Stephens

Gabrielle Essex

Fabiola Diaz

Ryan Schwab

Stacey Roberts

Lab Alumni:

Niko Wagner – completed PhD 2022

May Ribeiro – completed PhD 2021

Ketan Marballi, PhD – Research Associate

Hyuck Kim, PhD – Postdoctoral Fellow

Lorelle Parker – Research Technician

Seth Moore – Research Technician

Alaba Danagogo- Undergraduate Researcher

Brady Iles- Undergraduate Researcher

Jaclyn Jakubowski – Undergraduate Researcher

Gila Fridkis – Undergraduate Researcher

Camerin Ortiz – Undergraduate Researcher

Abigail Johnson – Undergraduate Researcher

Nicholas Bouton – Undergraduate Researcher

Anna Cally – Undergraduate Researcher