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Yinsheng Wang — Dr. Yinsheng Wang's lab at the University of California Riverside focuses on studying how alkylating agents, which can be found in our environment, affect DNA and RNA. The research explores how these chemicals cause damage to our genetic material and the biological responses that occur to repair this damage. Ultimately, this work aims to better understand health risks from environmental toxins and find ways to prevent diseases caused by DNA and RNA alkylation.
Hongdian Yang — Dr. Hongdian Yang's lab at the University of California Riverside studies how the brain allows us to adapt our behaviors based on our goals. By examining specific brain regions, the lab aims to uncover how different parts of the brain communicate to manage flexible decision-making in tasks that require tactile discrimination. This research is essential for understanding cognitive functions and may provide insights into neurological disorders.
Todd A Fiacco — Dr. Todd A. Fiacco's lab at UC Riverside focuses on how astrocytes, a type of brain cell, regulate their size and influence the electrical activity of neurons. His research investigates a specific channel (VRAC) that opens when astrocytes swell, leading to the release of important molecules like glutamate which affects communication between brain cells. This work aims to enhance our understanding of epilepsy and other neurological disorders by uncovering new targets for treatment.
Anandasankar Ray — Dr. Anandasankar Ray's research lab at UC Riverside focuses on understanding how mosquitoes detect humans through their sense of smell and taste. By exploring new strategies to create more effective insect repellents and insecticides, the lab aims to reduce human-mosquito interactions and the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue. They utilize innovative AI-based methods to predict and test new compounds that could provide safer and longer-lasting protection for at-risk populations.
Vijayalakshmi Santhakumar — Dr. Vijayalakshmi Santhakumar's research lab at UC Riverside focuses on understanding the dentate gyrus region of the brain, which plays a crucial role in memory processing. Their work investigates how certain types of inhibitory neurons affect memory functions, especially in the context of neurological disorders like temporal lobe epilepsy. By exploring alterations in circuit mechanisms caused by epilepsy, the lab aims to uncover insights that could inform treatments for cognitive deficits, contributing to our understanding of memory decline in aging and diseases like Alzheimer's.
Martin Miguel Riccomagno — Dr. Riccomagno's lab focuses on understanding how neurons in the developing brain establish their connections, which is critical for learning and memory. They study specific proteins called Cas adaptor proteins that help neurons respond to various signals during their development. The goal is to reveal how these proteins coordinate different types of signals to guide the growth of axons in the brain, and how disruptions in this process can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Kaveh Laksari — Dr. Kaveh Laksari's lab at the University of California Riverside focuses on understanding how the blood vessels in the brain change during and after an acute ischemic stroke. The lab uses advanced imaging techniques and algorithms to study these changes and aims to improve predictions about patient outcomes after stroke treatment. This research is crucial because stroke is a leading cause of disability, and better prediction models can guide treatment decisions for affected patients.