Positions
- Professor
-
Molecular and Human Genetics
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine
Houston, TX, US
- Professor
-
Neuroscience
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine
Houston, Texas, United States
- Faculty Investigator
-
Children's Nutrition Research Center, BCM
USDA-ARS, BCM
Houston, Texas, United States
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellowship at HHMI-Duke University
- 11/2010 - Durham, North Carolina, United States
- PhD from University Of Utah School of Medicine
- 10/2004 - Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- BS from St. Cloud State University
- 06/1998 - St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States
Honors & Awards
- TAMEST O'Donell Award in Medicine
- Kenneth Scott Outstanding Mentorship Award
- Michael E. DeBakey Excellence in Research Award
- Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Faculty Excellence Award
- Marc Dresden Award for Excellence in Graduate Education
- Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program Award
- Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Award in the Neurosciences
- NARSAD Independent Investigator Award
- Simmons Foundation CRF Award
- McNair Scholar in Neuroscience
- Brain & Behavior Res. Fndn. Alan Dutka Investigator
- NARSAD Young Investigator Award
- NINDS K99/R00 Career Transition Award
Professional Statement
The main focus of our research is to elucidate the basic mechanisms that guide the formation and maintenance of neural circuits in the mammalian brain. Using the mouse, we apply multifaceted experimental approaches that combine genetic engineering, optical imaging and electrophysiological recording techniques to better understand synapse and circuit function.
The blueprints for most neural circuits are specified by innate, genetic mechanisms. However, circuit architecture and function can be strongly influenced by neural activity and sensory experience. Towards better understanding the interplay between experience, synaptic connectivity and circuit function, we are currently pursuing three main projects in our laboratory: 1) Identifying activity dependent- and neuropeptide signaling mechanisms that underlie synaptogenesis and circuit formation of adult-born neurons. 2) mapping functional connectivity of brain circuits, with emphasis on the olfactory system, basal forebrain and hypothalamus. 3) elucidating signaling and circuit mechanisms that govern feeding behavior.
The long-term goal of our research is to form a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that guide synapse and circuit formation, with the ultimate hope of gaining insight towards repairing or replacing damaged or diseased nervous tissue. At the heart of this experimentation is the continued effort to develop novel tools and techniques to mark and manipulate neurons and their associated circuits.
The blueprints for most neural circuits are specified by innate, genetic mechanisms. However, circuit architecture and function can be strongly influenced by neural activity and sensory experience. Towards better understanding the interplay between experience, synaptic connectivity and circuit function, we are currently pursuing three main projects in our laboratory: 1) Identifying activity dependent- and neuropeptide signaling mechanisms that underlie synaptogenesis and circuit formation of adult-born neurons. 2) mapping functional connectivity of brain circuits, with emphasis on the olfactory system, basal forebrain and hypothalamus. 3) elucidating signaling and circuit mechanisms that govern feeding behavior.
The long-term goal of our research is to form a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that guide synapse and circuit formation, with the ultimate hope of gaining insight towards repairing or replacing damaged or diseased nervous tissue. At the heart of this experimentation is the continued effort to develop novel tools and techniques to mark and manipulate neurons and their associated circuits.
Selected Publications
-
Chin PS, Ding Z, Kochukov M, Srivastava S, Moss EH, Tong Q, Arenkiel BR.. " " Nat Commun.. 2026 Jan 16; 17(1)
Pubmed PMID: . -
Srivastava S, Wang IC, Kochukov MY, Swanson JL, Costa-Mattioli M, Arenkiel BR.. " " Front Behav Neurosci.. 2025 Jul ; 19
Pubmed PMID: . -
Moss EH, Tantry EK, Le E, Chin PS, Ambrosi P, Brandel-Ankrapp KL, Arenkiel BR.. " " J Neurosci.. 2025 Mar ; 45(13)
Pubmed PMID: . -
Ortiz-Guzman J, Swanson JL, Tantry EK, Kochukov M, Ung K, Addison AP, Srivastava S, Belfort BD, Ji E, Dooling SW, Chen SA, Tong Q, Arenkiel BR.. " " eNeuro. 2024 Mar ; 11(3)
Pubmed PMID: .
Funding
-
-
- NIH
-
-
- Department of Defense
-
-
- USDA-ARS
-
-
- ASAP
-
-
- McNair Medical Institute
to edit your profile