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Fenna M. Krienen is an Assistant Professor at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute. Her research focuses on the brain cell types that evolved in the human lineage and closely related species, particularly primates, examining the cognitive capabilities and higher functions of these organisms. She addresses the challenges associated with the lack of tools for characterizing cell types in genetically inaccessible models in a systematic and quantitative manner. Her lab develops new tools and approaches to study cell types in mammalian models and characterizes neurodevelopmental processes that lead to primate brain specializations and the expansion of higher-order association cortex and cortico-cortical connectivity. By applying scalable molecular analyses to disease-relevant mutations in primate species, her work informs models of human brain disorders such as autism. Krienen utilizes single-cell genomics to characterize the genetic, molecular, and anatomical properties of brain cell types in mammals, employing multi-modal technologies to identify cell-type-specific regulatory elements and developing viral tools to access and control specific cell types and circuits. Through her research, she aims to contribute to the understanding of the significance of non-coding variation in humans and is affiliated with the Princeton Neuroscience graduate program.
GRE scores are not accepted. Ph.D. is the primary degree; students are not required to hold an M.S.E. prior to admission.