Dr. Sharad Ramanathan

Biography

Sharad Ramanathan is the Llura and Gordon Gund Professor of Neurosciences, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Professor of Applied Physics and Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University. His research primarily focuses on the developmental processes in multi-potent human cells and how these cells make decisions that influence the structure and function of nervous systems. His laboratory investigates the signaling pathways and gene regulatory networks that evolve to produce novel cell types by re-engineering existing networks. The ultimate goal of his research is to gain a deeper understanding of how patterned complex tissues are built and how these systems control animal behavior through direct manipulation of neural activity. His work integrates approaches from developmental biology, molecular biology, and bioengineering to understand early human development and the dynamics of the nervous system using model organisms. He has published extensively in high-profile journals, significantly contributing to the fields of neuroscience and developmental biology.

Research Interests