We are studying how early life experiences, including adversity/stress or seizures influences that maturation of our brain. Answering this question requires distinct perspectives and levels of analyses:
a. Molecular/ cellular. we study epigenetic changes in specific cell populations ( single cell transcriptomics) and identify the mechanisms
b. cell/ circuit- we use TRAP mice to identify which cells encode and process early-life experiences
c. Circuits- we study cell-type specific projections in reward, stress and memory circuits and employ chemo and optogenetics to manipulate them.
d. Complex behaviors: we probe functional changes in memory and reward-seeking behaviors across sexes.
e. Cross species approaches- we collaborate closely with human studies.
Conceptual and technical innovations and collegiality are welcome and valued.