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Lisa Boulanger is an Associate Professor at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute with a research focus on the role of immune proteins in neuronal connectivity and brain development. Her laboratory investigates the involvement of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class molecules in synaptic plasticity, highlighting their dynamic expression in normal, healthy neurons and their regulatory mechanisms in response to electrical activity. Boulanger's work has revealed that MHC class proteins, traditionally considered immune components, perform crucial functions in the brain, particularly in the visual system and hippocampus, where they facilitate activity-dependent synaptic changes associated with learning and memory. Her research aims to characterize the neuronal functions of MHC proteins and explore their implications in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, including a focus on autism and the vulnerability of neurons expressing high levels of MHC class molecules in conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Through a combination of experimental techniques including single-cell electrophysiology, molecular genetics, and behavioral analysis, she seeks to expand the understanding of how immune signaling intersects with normal brain function, aiming to inform novel approaches for diagnosing and treating neurological disorders.
GRE scores are not accepted. Ph.D. is the primary degree; students are not required to hold an M.S.E. prior to admission.