About
I study the fundamental principles that govern neural circuit assembly and functions. My lab combines computational biology, electron microscopy, genetics, optogenetics, calcium imaging, and electrophysiology to address how the C.elegans and mouse nervous system develops and operates. Insights obtained from our model system studies reveal circuit deficits that underlie human neurological disorders.
Awards
- Tier 1 Chair in Neural Circuit Development and Function, Canada Research Chair, 2018-2025
- Fellow, The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University, 2013-2014
- EJLB Scholar, the EJLB Foundation, 2007-2010
- Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience, 2001-2011
- Human Frontier Science Fellowship Long-term Post-doctoral Fellowship, 1996-1998
Relevant Publications
- Samuel ADT, Chisholm AD, Lichtman JW, Zhen M. (2022). Post-embryonic maturation of the C. elegans motor circuit. Current Biology 32(21): 4645-4659
- Lu Y, Ahamed T, Mulcahy B, Witvliet D, Guan SA, Hung W, Meng J, Wen Q, Samuel ADT, Zhen M.*(2022). Extrasynaptic signaling enables an asymmetric juvenile motor circuit to produce a symmetric gait. Current Biology 32: 4631–4644
- Witvliet D, Mulcahy B, Mitchell JM, Meirovitch Y, Berger DR, Wu Y, Liu Y, Koh WR, Parvathala R, Holmyard D, Schalek RL, Shavit N, Chisholm AD, Lichtman JW*, Samuel ADT*, Zhen M*. (2021).Connectomes across development reveal principles of brain maturation in C. elegans. Nature 596: 257-261. PMID 34349261