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Neuroscience

Neuroscience is a discipline encompassing all aspects of behavior, cognition and perception at the molecular and cellular levels as well as in the whole organism.

As a growing and highly collaborative department we are committed to carrying out cutting-edge interdisciplinary research employing a wide range of state-of-the-art techniques. Over the last few years, our work has yielded major breakthroughs. The achievements are in large part because of the contributions of exceptional trainees — graduate students and post-doctoral fellows — and we welcome other motivated trainees to join us.

Highlights

John Lukens (left) and Jessica Thanos (right)

Immune System Discovery Reveals Potential Solution to Alzheimer’s Disease

June 2025 - The pioneering research of John Lukens, PhD, Jessica Thanos, and colleagues may be the key to stopping cognitive decline associated with the AD. Their research reveals that an immune molecule called STING drives the formation of the harmful plaques and protein tangles thought responsible for Alzheimer’s. Blocking the molecule protected lab mice from mental decline. STING also may be a key contributor to Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), dementia and other memory-robbing conditions. That means that developing treatments to control its activity could have far-reaching benefits for many patients facing now-devastating diagnoses. Their findings were recently published in Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. Congrats to all!

Click here to view the publication

Lulu Jiang

Lulu Jiang Awarded $3.6 Million to Investigate RNA Modifications in Alzheimer’s Disease

December 2024 – Congrats to Lulu Jiang, who was awarded a $3.6 million R01 grant from the National Institute on Aging for her project titled “Epitranscriptomic Mechanism in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease.” Dr. Jiang’s project will investigate a novel aspect of AD biology: the role of RNA modifications in disease progression. Recent findings from her research show that tau aggregation is associated with increased levels of m6A-modified RNA, which disrupts protein translation and contributes to neuronal dysfunction. Her study aims to uncover how dysregulated RNA modifications drive AD pathogenesis and evaluate potential therapeutic strategies. If successful, this work could provide transformative insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AD and inform the development of novel RNA-targeted therapies.

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Heather Ferris

Heather Ferris Featured in Medicine in Motion

October 2024 – Heather Ferris, MD, PhD, examines how brain metabolism affects risk for developing dementia.

Visit this link to learn more about her lab’s work!

In the News All News »

Lukens Lab Research Featured in UVA Today

June 2025 - John Lukens and his lab were recently profiled for UVA Today! Of their current findings, Lukens said: Our findings demonstrate that the DNA damage that naturally accumulates…

Tajie Harris Featured in Research in Motion

March 2025 - Tajie Harris was interviewed for Research In Motion; about her lab's work, she says: "We’re tackling questions at the interface of how the nervous system interacts with…

Zhongxiao Fu and Alex Kuan Publish a Paper in Nature Communications

January 2025 - Congratulations to Zhongxiao Fu, Alex Kuan, and the Kuan Lab for publishing their recent findings on how Microglia modulate cerebrovascular reactivity through ectonucleotidase CD39 in Nature Communications.…

Lulu Jiang Awarded $3.6 Million to Investigate RNA Modifications in Alzheimer’s Disease

December 2024 - Congrats to Lulu Jiang, who was awarded a $3.6 million R01 grant from the National Institute on Aging for her project titled “Epitranscriptomic Mechanism in the Pathogenesis…

Heather Ferris Featured in Medicine in Motion

October 2024 - Heather Ferris, MD, PhD, examines how brain metabolism affects risk for developing dementia. Visit this link to learn more about her lab's work!

John Lukens receives 2024 Early Achievement Award in Biomedical Sciences

September 2024 - Congrats to John Lukens, PhD, who was honored by the UVA Medical Alumni Association as the recipient of its 2024 Early Achievement Award in Biomedical Sciences! Visit…
 

Disorders

We study multiple human neurological disorders from cellular and molecular to translational through animal models of disease.

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Every neuroscience researcher is dedicated to better results for patients. Your donation, whatever its size, can help ensure we are able to offer the best care based on medical research.

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