Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Katz's laboratory focuses on understanding the role of neurotrophin growth factors in nervous system development and has a particular interest in development of the neural control of breathing. Dr. Katz is well known for his discoveries that Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is required for the maturation and function of respiratory neurons and normal breathing behavior. His work on Rett Syndrome is focused on understanding the role of MeCP2 in regulation of BDNF expression and secretion and on the development of BDNF-based therapies for respiratory dysfunction.

Dr. Katz received his PhD in Neurobiology and Behavior at SUNY Stony Brook and did his postdoctoral training at Cornell University Medical College and the College de France in Paris.

Dr. Lalande's main research interest is genomic imprinting, which is characterized by the differential expression of a gene depending on whether it was maternally or paternally inherited. Specifically, the Lalande lab studies the molecular basis and mechanism of genomic imprinting of two human genetic diseases, Angelman Syndrome and the Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Dr. Lalande's present and past academic appointments include Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator (1988-1992) and Centre for Human Genetics at McGill University. He also serves on the board of the Canada Foundation for Innovation and is a member of the National Institutes of Health Biology 1 Study Section.

Dr. Lalande received his education at the University of Toronto.

grad.uchc.edu/phdfaculty/lalande.html


Dr. Mandel is interested in revealing molecular mechanisms responsible for regulation of gene expression and excitability in the nervous system.

She has been on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, Tufts University, and SUNY at Stony Brook and has received numerous awards for her outstanding contributions to molecular neuroscience.

She did her undergraduate and graduate work at UCLA and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Diego.

naples.cc.stonybrook.edu
www.hhmi.org/research
The McKnight lab at UTSW Medical Center conducts research centered on mammalian gene expression. Genetic, biochemical and molecular biological methods are employed to study the means by which transcription factors and signaling molecules regulate concerted biological and biochemical pathways.

Dr. McKnight has received many awards including the Eli Lilly Award, the Newcomb Cleveland Award, and the John Enders Lecture.

He received his undergraduate education at the University of Texas at Austin and his PhD at the University of Virginia.

biochemistry.swmed.edu/faculty/StevenMcKnight.html



Dr. Mobley's research interests include neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, specifically Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Down's Syndrome. In particular, he focuses on nerve growth factors, which act in the brain to enhance the differentiation, growth and survival of developing neurons and to maintain mature neurons. Nerve growth factors are known to be affected in Rett Syndrome.

Dr. Mobley has won numerous honors and awards. He serves as a member of the Board of the Bay Area Alzheimer's Association and is the Chair of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board for that group. He has served on Advisory Boards to review grant proposals for the March of Dimes, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the American Health Assistance Foundation and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association.

Dr. Mobley received his Ph.D. and his MD degrees from Stanford University.

www.stanford.edu/group/neurology


Dr. Tuchman is a founder of the Miami Children's Hospital Dan Marino Center and Director of the Dan Marino ChildNETT (Neurodevelopmental Evaluation and Treatment Teams). He earned his BA from Hampshire College and his M.D. from the New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Tuchman completed an internship and residency in pediatrics at Boston City Hospital. He completed a fellowship in neurology, clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Dr. Tuchman is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Miami School of Medicine and is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Tuchman has been honored as a Distinguished Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Nova Southeastern University. He serves on the advisory board of the Dan Marino Foundation and the National Alliance for Autism Research. He has written and published extensively and lectures nationally and internationally on the topic of developmental disorders.



Dr. Warren's research interests are the genetic causes of mental retardation with an emphasis on Fragile X Syndrome.

He received his Ph.D. degree in human genetics from Michigan State University. Dr. Warren is a diplomat of the American Board of Medical Genetics and a Founding Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics. He currently is Editor-in-Chief of The American Journal of Human Genetics and sits on the editorial boards of Mammalian Genome, Molecular Genetics & Metabolism, and Genetics & Medicine. Among his awards are the William Rosen Research Award of the National Fragile X Foundation and the William Allan Award of the American Society of Human Genetics.

www.genetics.emory.edu/visitors/warren.html