Dr. Pasko Rakic

Biography

Pasko Rakic is the Dorys McConnell Duberg Professor of Neuroscience and a professor of neurology at Yale University. He has dedicated his research to developmental neurobiology, focusing specifically on neuronal proliferation, migration, programmed cell death, axonal guidance, and the patterns of synaptic connectivity in the development of the central nervous system. His laboratory investigates the interactions between neuronal and glial cells during neuronal migration and the effects of epigenetic factors on the development of structural and functional cell phenotypes. A significant aspect of his work examines the differentiation process and synaptogenesis of various structures within the cerebral cortex, emphasizing the visual system's development. He aims to enhance understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the early development of the cerebral cortex in humans, building on over thirty-five years of research in neuroembryology. Rakic's work has led to significant insights into the interaction of genetic and developmental processes that influence the evolution of human cognitive abilities and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Research Interests

Experience