I am broadly interested in how a single genome creates the cellular diversity that is discovered in the brain, and how perturbations of specific cell types in the brain may lead to disorders of the nervous system, as well as alterations of normal behavior.  We approach these questions using the tools of mouse transgenics and conditional knockouts, but guide our studies using information gleaned from human genetics studies. We are looking for postdocs and students.  Feel free to contact me.

Mike earned his PhD in Neuroscience at WashU studying memory impairment and synapse elimination during viral encephalitis. His main research interests are mechanisms of learning and memory. Outside of the lab, Mike enjoys watching his 1-year-old son figure things out, cooking, playing ultimate frisbee, training his cats, and keeping African cichlids.

Allen is a graduate student in the Developmental, Regenerative, and Stem Cell Biology program. Before coming to WashU, he received a BS in biomedical engineering and a MS in biomedical research technologies from Boston University. He is interested in investigating the role of gene-environment interactions in the development of autism spectrum disorders. He is also interested in applying new technologies to address these complex questions. Outside of the lab, he enjoys camping, photography, and going to live music shows.

Din is a graduate student in the Neuroscience program in the Dougherty Lab. Before coming to WashU, Din was a varsity athlete (good ‘ole long distance swimmer) who graduated with a BS in Neuroscience from the University of Cincinnati. At UC he worked with Dr. Matia Solomon looking at sex differences in HPA axis dysregulation and stress circuitry of Alzheimer’s Disease. Starting graduate school, he is interested in studying the molecular and genetic basis of sex differences in various neurodevelopmental, and psychiatric disorders. Outside of the lab, Din enjoys working out, reading books and buying weird and new ingredients he doesn’t know how to pronounce to cook with and then host friends for dinner (pre-COVID of course!).

Mari is an MSTP student in the Neuroscience program. She graduated from Georgetown University with a BS in Neurobiology. At Georgetown, she studied the role of APOE4 in Alzheimer’s disease in the Rebeck lab. Afterwards, she spent two years in the Ward lab at the NIH studying frontotemporal dementia using iPSC neuron technology and CRISPR screening. Now, she is broadly interested in discovering epigenetic factors that can predict individual differences in animal behavior. Outside of lab, Mari enjoys dancing, strolling through Forest Park, creating home video parodies with her cousins, and consuming fiction.

Sneha completed her undergraduate education at Washington University in St. Louis, earning a BA in Biology with a Neuroscience concentration. During that time, she worked in the lab of Erik Herzog, investigating the neural circuitry driving circadian release of glucocorticoids and potential mechanisms for known sex differences in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Sneha is currently pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience as part of WUSM’s MD/PhD program. She is working on bringing her knowledge of sex differences to investigating the genomics of neurodevelopment disorders. In her free time, Sneha likes to read, box, eat lots of good St. Louis food, and take care of her 40+ plants.

Stuart received his Undergraduate Education at the University of Wisconsin Madison, where he studied Genetics, Computer Science and German. Stuart worked in both the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (Handelsman Lab), the Microbial Science Building (Ané Lab) and as part of the EntoGEM International team. He joined the lab in Spring 2020 with interests in Bioinformatics and AI. Hobbies include skiing, hiking, biking, traveling, frizbee, dancing, houseplants, brewing kombucha and turn-based strategy games. Stuart is primarily working remote so is best contacted via email or other electronic means.

Katie McCullough is a research technician from O’Fallon, MO. She graduated from Drake University in Biochemistry. Her undergrad research focused on genetic elements of swine flu. When she sarted in the lab, she discovered her love of neuroscience and animal behavior. Outside the lab, she has 2 dogs (Shiloh and Astro) and a tortoise (Francis). She loves reading and subscribe to all thing’s true crime. Her fears: Heights and spiders  

Shayna is a research technician in the lab. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at St. Louis University and her Master’s in Biochemistry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is interested in how the brain works and why it malfunctions, specifically in neurodegenerative disorders. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling, puzzles and hanging out with her husband and new baby girl.

Victoria is a Junior majoring in the Neuroscience track of the Biology major at WashU. She is originally from China and came to the US for high school in the east coast. She joined the lab in fall 2019 and have been working with Rachel to study healthy development and Rett syndrome in a mouse model using optical neuroimaging and behavioral testings. Outside of the lab, she enjoys working out, cooking, watching Netflix and spending time with her two cats and friends!

Arthi is a senior undergraduate student at WashU majoring in Cognitive Neuroscience on the pre-med track. She started working in the lab in Summer 2022 under Simona’s mentorship. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, drawing, going on walks, listening to music, and binge-watching romcoms on Netflix.