Training Opportunities in Labs Actively Recruiting Students
Faculty Seeking Students:
The following faculty have indicated that are looking for at least one student to join their lab. Some faculty aren't quite sure if they need another student and some are certain that they need several students. We encourage you to reach out to them and inquire about their research, and see if their lab might be a good fit for you!
Faculty Seeking Students:
The following faculty have indicated that they may be looking for at least one student to join their lab - some aren't quite sure if they need another student, and some are certain that they need several. We encourage you to reach out to them and inquire about their research, and see if their lab might be a good fit for you!
Dr. Bogdan Beirowski - Axon-glia energy: Keeping axons alive to combat neurodegeneration
Dr. Hongjun (Harry) Fu - The Fu laboratory research focuses on understanding which subtypes of neurons are vulnerable to tau pathology in early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other tauopathies as well as the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the selective neuronal vulnerability. In particular, they are interested in investigating the role of cell-autonomous (neurons) versus cell non-autonomous (microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) effects in selective vulnerability to proteinopathies in neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Jie Gao - My lab aims to study the molecular pathology of Alzheimer's disease and to develop new disease-modifying therapies
Dr. Amy Gleichman - The Gleichman lab studies astrocytes as gene therapy targets for brain repair after stroke and in vascular dementia, two forms of ischemic brain injury.
Dr. Bin Gu - Combining the wet lab and dry lab, we are interested in studying the mechanism of and developing therapies for epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Dr. Martin Haesemeyer - Our lab studies behavioral thermoregulation in health and disease conditions using zebrafish as a model.
Dr. Olga Kokiko-Cochran - The Kokiko-Cochran lab studies traumatic brain injury in preclinical models, specifically examining the influence of neuroinflammation on long-term outcome.
Dr. Katy Lenz - Neuroimmunology; Effects of perturbations (stress, brain injury, hormonal exposures) during critical periods on brain plasticity and motivated behavior
Dr. Benedetta Leuner - The Leuner lab conducts preclinical research to address issues/questions that are specific to the female brain and women’s brain health across the lifespan including adolescence, pregnancy, and the postpartum period with a focus on hormones, neuroplasticity, neuroimmunology, and behavior.
Dr. Sabhya Rana - The Rana Lab investigates the neural control of breathing and how it is disrupted following neurological injury or disease. Using preclinical models and neuromodulatory interventions (spinal stimulation and targeted pharmacology), we aim to restore respiratory function and uncover fundamental mechanisms of neural plasticity after spinal cord injury. Our approaches have broad translational relevance, extending to other neurological conditions such as ALS, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Hillary Schiff - Our lab examines how early life experiences with tastes result in life-long plasticity in the brain and in taste preference using whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, genetic techniques, and animal behavior. We are particularly focused on cortical interneurons, synaptic plasticity, and the role of nutrition in modifying taste preference.
Dr. Hiroki Taniguchi - Diversification of cortical interneurons. The role of cortical interneurons in pain perception.
Dr. Cole Vonder Haar - Our lab is interested in maladaptive behavior, particularly as a result of traumatic brain injury. We use operant behavioral assays of impulsivity, risky decision-making and attention in combination with postmortem measures of microscopy, single nucleus RNA sequencing and other molecular biology methods. I am looking for a student to develop/lead projects using fiber photometry in vivo to study brain signaling during decision-making.
Dr. Jacy Wagnon - The Wagnon lab is focused on investigating the pathology underlying seizures and comorbidities, including cognitive and motor impairment, in genetic epilepsies. We utilize mouse genetics and behavior, along with cellular and molecular biology techniques, to identify pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets for these severe neurological disorders.
Dr. Chenran Wang - We are interested in the mechanisms of autophagy in brain development, neurodevelopmental disorder, neurodegenerative disease, and metastatic brain tumors. Our research focus on the roles of autophagy in neural stem cell, astrocyte, and microglia under physiological and pathological conditions.
Dr. Kenneth Wilson - Our research investigates the endolysosomal network and its components in neurons to identify how it influences age-related neurodegeneration and neurodegenerative diseases, with a special emphasis on Alzheimer's disease. We primarily utilize iPSC-derived neurons, patient-derived fibroblasts, and mouse models.
Dr. Phillip Yuhas - Modulating neuroinflammation in the retina and visual system in a mouse model of repeated traumatic brain injury.
Updated 12/7/2025
