Understanding Circuit and Neuroimmune Mechanisms of Neurological Dysfunction in Brain Injury and Epilepsy 

The Santhakumar Lab is dedicated to uncovering cellular, circuit, and immune mechanisms underlying neurological consequences of epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. Our research spans two pivotal areas: first, identifying how inhibitory circuit development and cell-type-specific neurophysiology shape the emergence of epilepsy and related cognitive comorbidities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders; and second, investigating how canonical and novel innate immune signaling pathways, in neurons, glia, and the adult neurogenic niche, regulate both healthy brain function and neuropathology in the injured brain. To decode the fundamental processes of brain dysfunction, we utilize a multidisciplinary toolkit that integrates high-resolution optogenetics, electrophysiology, and molecular histology. By bridging in vivo and ex vivo rodent models with human brain organoids and computational modeling, we transition from basic discovery to identifying translational therapeutic targets to prevent the long-term symptoms and debilitating comorbidities associated with epilepsy and brain injury. The lab provides a vibrant multidisciplinary training environment.

**We are looking for motivated graduate students to join our group**