Overview
As a neonatologist, my research interests revolve around improving the survival and quality of life of high-risk neonates cared for in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. My primary interest is perinatal brain injuries impacting both full-term infants and those born prematurely. One of the most common forms of perinatal brain injury involves damage to white matter (myelin). My laboratory has developed models of perinatal brain injury to investigate how the endogenous neural stem cell responds to myelin injury. Our hope is to develop innovative strategies to successfully redirect stem cells into the oligodendrocyte lineage and promote myelination after injury. In order to successfully restore myelination after injury, we want to better understand the molecular mechanisms governing 2 important aspects of myelin development.
First, we must understand the molecular signals that drive neural stem cells to differentiate into oligodendrocytes (oligodendrogenesis) and how brain injury impacts this process. This interest has led my laboratory to investigate intracellular and extracellular changes that occur in the neural stem cell niche following injuries that lead to white matter damage.
Secondly, after stem cell commitment to the oligodendrocyte lineage has occurred, we must understand the ongoing signals from the neural environment that influence oligodendrocyte maturation. For this work, my laboratory has developed an innovative technology to remotely control ion channels non-invasively using magnetic fields. Using this technology, we are developing strategies to alter the activity of targeted neural circuits both in utero as well as postnatally to understand the impact of altered activity on myelin maturation. Members of my laboratory are also currently using this technology to understand how altered temperature-gated channel activity in utero may contribute to birth defects associated with maternal fevers.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Electrophysiological Mechanisms and Validation of Ferritin-Based Magnetogenetics for Remote Control of Neurons.
Journal Article J Neurosci · July 24, 2024 Magnetogenetics was developed to remotely control genetically targeted neurons. A variant of magnetogenetics uses magnetic fields to activate transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channels when coupled with ferritin. Stimulation with static or RF m ... Full text Link to item CiteSubventricular zone stem cell niche injury is associated with intestinal perforation in preterm infants and predicts future motor impairment.
Journal Article Cell Stem Cell · April 4, 2024 Brain injury is highly associated with preterm birth. Complications of prematurity, including spontaneous or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)-associated intestinal perforations, are linked to lifelong neurologic impairment, yet the mechanisms are poorly und ... Full text Link to item CiteProceedings of the 15th International Newborn Brain Conference: Fetal and/or neonatal brain development, both normal and abnormal
Conference Journal of neonatal-perinatal medicine · January 1, 2024 Full text CiteRecent Grants
Pathogenic Mechanisms of Inflammatory Subventricular Zone Injury in Preterm Infants
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Discovering the cell type basis of the IT projection system and its dysregulation after perinatal HIE
ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Research Training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill · 2000 - 2026View All Grants