I recently began my MD/PhD training and will soon choose a thesis laboratory. I have completed my first lab rotation in the laboratory of Dr. Jean Hebert. I am strongly considering it for my thesis project. His lab uses conditional genetic approaches like cre/lox recombination to study forebrain development in vivo. The purpose is to identify the factors involved in proliferation and differentiation of neural stem and progenitor cells and their role in forebrain patterning. Identifying the different signals both during development and in the adult brain will be crucial in elucidating the molecular mechanism of some developmental and neurodegenerative diseases but more importantly, will lay the foundation for regenerative therapies. By studying development I will combine my interests in neurodegenerative disorders, and stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. It would also give me the opportunity to study biochemical pathways, such as those involved in self-renewal, which might participate in cancer biology, specifically brain tumors. For my second rotation I am considering the lab of Dr. Zaven Kaprielian, where a combination of model organisms are being used to study spinal cord formation with the aim of developing therapies for spinal cord injuries.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31NS052932-05
Application #
7645026
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F08 (29))
Program Officer
Owens, David F
Project Start
2005-07-01
Project End
2010-06-30
Budget Start
2009-07-01
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$48,683
Indirect Cost
Name
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
110521739
City
Bronx
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10461
Diaz, Frank; McKeehan, Nicholas; Kang, Wenfei et al. (2013) Apoptosis of glutamatergic neurons fails to trigger a neurogenic response in the adult neocortex. J Neurosci 33:6278-84