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Chris B. Schaffer is a professor at the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University. He received his undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Florida and his Ph.D. in physics from Harvard University, where he worked with Eric Mazur. Following his postdoctoral work at the University of California, San Diego, under the mentorship of David Kleinfeld, he focused on the intersection of physics and neuroscience. His lab at Cornell develops advanced optical techniques that enable quantitative imaging and targeted manipulation of individual cells in the central nervous system of rodents. His current research emphasizes understanding the role of brain blood flow disruptions in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and elucidating how cellular interactions contribute to neurological diseases. Schaffer is also engaged in developing innovative educational strategies to teach science as a dynamic process of discovery, actively participating in outreach settings from middle school to undergraduate levels. He has a strong interest in science policy, having spent time in Washington, DC, working as a science policy advisor for Senator Edward Markey. His lab primarily focuses on exploring cellular dynamics underlying neurological diseases, leveraging novel optical methods to tackle complex biological questions.
Department of Architecture