Professor and Chair of Psychology
Department of Psychology
University of Virginia
I study fine structure of neurons and other brain cells along sensory pathways in developing and aging brains. I am particularly interested in how synaptic circuities are formed, maintained, and how they are modified by experience. Using quantitative electron microscopy, tract-tracing immuno-identification and 3D reconstruction approaches in behaviorally and physiologically characterized animal models, my work aims to identify the molecular players in axon reorganization, synaptic pruning and sensory plasticity. In addition, we study the development of neuropathological alterations in animal models of aging and Alzheimer’s dementia.