All Faculty Katharina Braeutigam Assistant Professor Our lab is interested in the intricate relationships between epigenome, genome, and phenotype in plants. We focus on stress responses, climate change-related adjustments, and developmental transitions combining high-throughput genome scans & bioinformatics with cell & molecular biology and modern phenotyping. Hai-Ying (Mary) Cheng Full Professor Mark Currie Assistant Professor We seek to understand the mechanisms that govern genome organization, epigenetic gene regulation, and genome stability in health and disease. We combine structural biology, biochemistry, and cellular model systems. Ingo Ensminger Associate Professor We study plant-environment interactions and the impact of climate change on plants from molecular to leaf, species and ecosystem level. Our research focuses on (i) developing tools for monitoring photosynthesis and for high-throughput phenotyping using remote sensing and drones, and (ii) on examining the mechanisms that contribute to adaptation and acclimation of trees to warmer and drier climate. Ted Erclik Assistant Professor Our lab’s goal is to understand how complex neural circuits develop from an initial population of stem cells. As a model system, we use the Drosophila optic lobe, which is the visual processing center of the fruit fly brain. George S. Espie Professor Angela B. Lange Professor Baohua Liu Assistant Professor We study the structure, function and plasticity of the circuits in mammalian visual system using the combination of functional imaging, electrophysiology, optogenetics, circuit tracing and behavioural analysis. Alex Nguyen Ba Assistant Professor Our lab is working to understand how genetic changes lead to differences in traits and how this impacts evolution. This is important as a quarter of individuals are carriers of a gene variant that can cause disease. Despite genetic screening efforts, it is still not possible for scientists to identify which variants are pathogenic and which are benign. Our lab uses synthetic biology, robotics, and high-throughput technologies to pave the way for an atlas of disease causing mutations. We also frame these findings in an evolutionary synthesis to guide us towards acquiring an understanding of our evolutionary history. Danton H. O’Day Professor Emeritus Michael A. Phillips Associate Professor Regulation and control of plant terpenoid biosynthesis. We use mass spectrometry, isotopic labeling, and synthetic biology to study terpenoid metabolism in Arabidopsis and medically important plant species. Arbora Resulaj Assistant Professor Ho-Sung Rhee Assistant Professor We study epigenetic regulation of neural development and disease using mouse stem cell differentiation systems and high-resolution genomic approaches. Adriano Senatore Associate Professor In the Senatore lab, we study the molecular biology, electrophysiology, protein complexing, and evolution of i) voltage-gated calcium channels, ii) ionotropic glutamate receptors, and iii) degenerin/ENaC sodium channels gated by protons and neuropeptides. As research subjects, we study several marine invertebrates with a focus on Trichoplax adhaerens, a free behaving animal that lacks synapses and a nervous system but possesses most genes required for neural and synaptic signaling. Bryan Stewart Professor Brandon Walters Assistant Professor J. Timothy Westwood Associate Professor Emeritus
