My research focuses on understanding how appropriate connectivity within the nervous system is established during development. Specifically, I am interested in the mechanisms by which the growth cone, which is the pathfinding structure of the developing neuron, migrates to and connects with its appropriate targets. My research employs a variety of molecular, cellular and advanced imaging techniques to understand the mechanisms underlying growth cone motility and guidance. Ultimately, the objective of my research is to understand how growth cones respond to external guidance cues, via the intracellular molecular mechanisms that are activated by these cues, and thus, enable developing axons to migrate, identify and synapse onto their appropriate targets. This research will further our understanding of how nervous system connectivity is formed during development and provide insight into treatments for a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders
