Dr. Ryan Hibbs

Biography

Ryan Hibbs is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Research at the University of California, San Diego. His work focuses on how ion channels facilitate fast signaling across membranes, which is crucial for various physiological processes including chemical transmission in the brain and muscle contraction. His laboratory employs techniques such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy to explore the three-dimensional structures of neurotransmitter receptors. Notably, Hibbs investigates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which mediate signaling on a millisecond timescale, as well as GABA receptors involved in brain connectivity. His studies aim to elucidate the structure and function of these receptors, particularly in relation to autoimmune diseases where antibodies disrupt normal receptor function. Hibbs has a rich background, having received his BA in Chemistry-Biochemistry from Whitman College and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences/Pharmacology from UC San Diego. He held a postdoctoral position at the Vollum Institute and has been an Assistant and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center for a decade before joining UCSD in 2023. His research has been supported by numerous collaborators across prestigious institutions, and he has received multiple awards for his contributions to the field.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards