Our mission is to understand how non-neuronal cells collectively known as glia regulate neuronal function and contribute to disease states.

In the lab we primarily focus on microglia, the dominant immune cell in the brain, which is responsible for essential functions including synapse formation and elimination, regulating neuronal activity, and eliminating whole neurons.

We aim to identify and define key mechanisms for glial-neuronal functions during development, hyperactive states, and autism spectrum disorder using the zebrafish vertebrate model.