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Argel Aguilar-Valles is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. He employs a combination of biochemistry, molecular biology, neuronal culture, and animal models to understand the genetic risk factors that contribute to mental illness. His team investigates how genetic mutations affect brain development and the molecular mechanisms of action of novel, rapidly-acting antidepressants, including ketamine and serotonergic psychedelics. Aguilar-Valles has made significant contributions to understanding the role of translational control in mental health, demonstrating how certain treatments can affect synaptic plasticity and cognitive deficits associated with depression. He has published extensively in renowned journals, exploring topics such as the therapeutic potential of LSD analogues for mood disorders and the impact of maternal immune activation on dopaminergic neurotransmission. His work is critical for advancing our understanding of how specific molecular pathways can be targeted for the treatment of complex psychiatric conditions.
Includes MEng and MASc options.