NPG Chair
I am an evolutionary biologist interested in how developmental deviations impact the evolution and function of reproductive chemosensory signals. For my PhD at the University of Tulsa I studied how developmental truncations impact the evolution of male salamander pheromone expression and courtship glands. I became interested in chemosensation and how the brain processes olfactory signals, so as a postdoc in Matt Wachowiak’s lab, I investigate how circuits impact chemosensory signal transformation to ultimately understand how odors are encoded in the brain. Outside of the lab I love going camping, herping, hiking, and fishing with my partner. I also love cooking, trying new restaurants, and spending time with the numerous pets that we have!
NPG Treasurer
I’m interested in studying the neural mechanisms underlying the formation and retrieval of episodic memory. During my PhD at Seoul National University in Korea, I investigated the neural dynamics of hippocampal subregions (CA1, CA3, and subiculum) in response to changes in visual stimuli. After my PhD, I moved to the US and joined the Heys lab as a postdoc. Now, I am studying how neural activity in the medial entorhinal cortex mediates the learning of timing behavior using in vivo physiology techniques in mice. Outside of the lab, I enjoy paddleboarding and gardening.
NPG Secretary
I earned my PhD in neuroscience from the University of Iowa. My research focused on a group of cell adhesion molecules, called gamma-Protocadherins. My thesis work examined how different gamma-Protocadherin isoforms and protein domains alter neurodevelopment, including synapse density and dendritic arborization. I joined Megan Williams' lab for my postdoc so I could continue fostering my fascination of cell adhesion molecules and their link to neurodevelopmental disorders. My current main project is elucidating the function of Syap1 (synapse-associated protein 1), a protein duplicated in some patients with autism spectrum disorder and deleted in some patients with intellectual disabilities. Syap1 is just about completely unstudied in the mammalian central nervous system, so I am enjoying making new discoveries! Outside of lab I like to spend time outdoors, listen to true crime podcasts, read non-fiction historical medicine/science books, and lose my mind over any cute animal that I see.
Jim Heys
NPG Faculty Liaison
Research in the Heys Lab is aimed towards uncovering the synaptic, cellular and circuit level mechanisms that underlie the formation and recall of episodic memory. Furthermore, we aim to understand how these mechanisms become disrupted in disease. We leverage cutting-edge optical imaging and electrophysiological techniques designed for application in awake-behaving rodents that enable recording and manipulation of neural physiology - from the level of individual synaptic spines up to thousands of simultaneously monitored neurons. These techniques are used in combination with virtual reality paradigms in order to carefully monitor and control animal behavior. Our experimental questions and approach are developed in concert with theoretical and computational models of behavior and neural circuit dynamics.
Do you have suggestions for events, questions about resources, concerns as a postdoc in the department, or just want to get involved?
Let us know by reaching out to us directly via any of our emails or talking with us at any of our events or meetings. We are looking for another postdoc to join the board!
Find our current postdocs.
Network with our alumni in academia, industry, and beyond.