Members
The center aims to be a nexus for rigorous, innovative and impactful scientific investigation. Explore center members' research specializations and find their contact information below.
Ivan Alekseichuk, PhD
Shana Augustin, PhD
The Augustin Lab studies the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and its modulation by G-protein-coupled receptors to control motor actions and decision-making.
Hongxin Dong, MD, PhD
Dong's research focuses on the interaction of genetic and environmental influences on neurodevelopment and aging and their relevance to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.
Talia Lerner, PhD
Lerner studies the neural circuit basis of motivation, reward learning and habit formation.
Hao Li, PhD
Li studies the role of neuropeptides in mediating motivational processes in health and disease.
Herbert Meltzer, MD
Meltzer's research focuses on cognitive and movement disorders in psychiatric patients.
Vijay Mittal, PhD
The Adolescent Development and Preventive Treatment (ADAPT) lab is a research program affiliated with Northwestern University that evaluates adolescents and young adults who are experiencing unusual thoughts or perceptions, as well as changes in social and academic or career performance.
Jones Parker, PhD
The Parker laboratory's research focuses on using in vivo recordings to understand the dopamine system’s role in normal and pathological behavioral processes. Their goal is to exploit nodes within the dopamine system to comprehensively treat brain disease.
Reesha Patel, PhD
Patel's goal is to understand how neuroimmune mechanisms and social factors interact with neural circuits contributing to mental health disorders.
Sachin Patel, MD, PhD
The group's goal is to elucidate the mechanisms by which stress affects brain structure and function, leading to susceptibility to mental illnesses, with a focus on endocannabinoid signaling systems. By understanding these mechanisms, they hope to uncover new molecular targets for development of novel therapeutics.
Peter Penzes, PhD
Research in Penzes' lab centers on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synapse dysfunction in mental disorders. The group studies the genetic substrates of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, epilepsy, schizophrenia, bipolar disease, rare and orphan disorders, and Alzheimer's disease.
Luis Rosas-Vidal, MD, PhD
Rosas-Vidal's research focuses on the neural circuit regulation of fear and anxiety and their interactions with stress.
Stewart Shankman, PhD
Shankman's research focuses on the relation between depression and anxiety disorders.