Dr. Karen Chang

Biography

Karen Ting Chang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Dr. Chang's research focuses on the mechanisms underlying activity-induced synaptic remodeling, particularly in the context of neuromuscular junctions in Drosophila. Her team has investigated the role of secretory autophagy in regulating synaptic plasticity and the ways in which peripheral glia and neurons jointly influence synaptic architecture and function. Publications include notable works on the identification of secretory autophagy mechanisms and activity-dependent plasticity processes, shedding light on neurodegeneration and synaptic disorders. Beyond this, Dr. Chang has contributed to understanding integration signaling pathways in maintaining stem cell niches and the implications for age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.

Research Interests