Programs

Program affiliation
Immunology
Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Neurosciences

Research summary
Understanding the neuroimmune basis of infectious and non-infectious diseases

Key words
Pain and sensory disorders; Infectious diseases; Neuroimmunology; Host-microbe interactions

Program affiliation
Cancer Biology

Research summary
The Disease Imaging and Therapy Lab, led by Patrícia Ribeiro Pereira, PhD, focuses on tumor-targeted, multimodal strategies for imaging and therapy, integrated with complementary spatial and molecular approaches to investigate the regulation of membrane targets and to develop strategies to overcome drug resistance in tumors. In addition to cancer, our lab is increasingly engaged in tracer and antibody development for central nervous system disorders and other disease areas where targeted imaging and therapy can improve diagnosis and treatment. Our research bridges basic biology, preclinical approaches and clinical needs to advance precision medicine across a range of diseases.

Key words
cancer, imaging, therapy, antibody, membrane receptors, tumor resistance, immunotherapy

Program affiliation
General

Research summary
Statistical genetics; complex disease genetics; methods in statistical genetics

Key words
mathematical modeling, epidemiology, genetics

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Cancer Biology
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
The Brain Development and Disorders Laboratory investigates how long-range neural circuits are established in the brain, and how neural circuit plasticity affects the function of the cerebral cortex.

Key words
cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, developmental neurobiology, molecular and cellular neuroscience, neurogenetics, cerebral cortex, corpus callosum, glial development, neuronal development, brain wiring, agenesis

Program affiliation
Human and Statistical Genetics
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Computational and Systems Biology
Biomedical Informatics and Data Science

Research summary
Using bench molecular biology, high-throughput sequencing, and bioinformatics to understand human inflammatory / autoimmune disease.

Key words
human genetics; autoimmune; inflammatory disease; biomarkers; high-throughput sequencing; precision medicine

Program affiliation
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Computational and Systems Biology
Neurosciences

Research summary
To understand how and why membrane proteins fold, form stable complexes, and achieve conformational stability inside of the oil-filled cell membrane.

Key words
membrane protein; single-molecule; TIRF microscopy; protein folding; thermodynamics; lipids; oligomerization

Program affiliation
General

Research summary
Our projects primarily focus on the chelation of radionuclides, such as 64Cu and 89Zr positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging, and 177Lu, 67Cu, and 90Y for radiotherapeutic applications. My laboratory has developed both peptide- and antibody-based radiopharmaceuticals. Notably, I was the first to publish on a 64Cu-labeled peptide, a derivative of which is now being evaluated in human clinical trials by a pharmaceutical company for both imaging and therapy. The translational impact of my work is evident in the FDA approval of similar agents using 177Lu and 64Cu.

Key words
PET imaging, theranostics, radiometal chemistry

Program affiliation
Neurosciences

Research summary
Investigating the relationship between neonatal brain development, early life adversity and childhood psychiatric disorders in high risk infant populations

Key words

Program affiliation
Neurosciences

Research summary
My research aims to understand of how brain networks develop and adapt to changes caused by epilepsy, tumors, stroke, and or other neurological injuries. In particular I am interested in how children's brains reorganize after neurosurgical treatment of these conditions.

Key words
intracranial electroencephalography, ieeg, resting state functional MRI, rs-fMRI, brain networks, development, epilepsy, neurosurgery

Program affiliation
Cancer Biology
Neurosciences
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology
Biomedical Informatics and Data Science

Research summary
Dr. Eduardo Rosa-Molinar is an interdisciplinary scientist whose research integrates cell biology, neuroscience, imaging science, spectroscopy, instrumentation, method and reagent development, and quantitative image analysis to study synapses—the specialized connections that enable neurons to communicate. His work focuses on elucidating the three-dimensional nanoscale geometry, molecular diversity, and chemical organization of these connections. His group integrates multi-scale, multi-modal imaging with analytical techniques, including micro–X-ray fluorescence (µXRF), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman spectroscopy, to advance metallomics in synapse research. Through academic, industry, and cross-disciplinary collaborations, the lab integrates structural, molecular, and elemental data to better understand the complexity of neural communication. Dr. Rosa-Molinar is also committed to mentoring and to inclusive workforce development. He trains students, postdoctoral researchers, and technical staff to work across disciplines, emphasizing scientific rigor, collaboration, a sense of belonging, and career advancement in interdisciplinary research.

Key words