Research 

Our laboratory is using the simple nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to identify and characterize the function of gene products that are responsible for neurogenesis and for guiding the migration of growing axons. Other projects in the laboratory involve identifying mutations in homologues of genes known to affect axon guidance in vertebrates.

• Studies the development of the nervous system
• Research leads to new insights, treatments for spinal cord injury
• Looks for genes involved in directing the growth of neurons -- finds out which genes are active, what signals are being sent, how these signals are received, and how all of this affects the spinal cord
• Uses the small roundworm called C. elegans, considered "a simplified spinal cord"