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Title: Professor, Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Pediatrics, Neurology, and Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas Programs in Cell & Molecular Biology and Developmental Biology
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Education:
American University of Beirut/Meharry Medical College - M.D.
Beirut Medical School, Lebanon - B.S. & Med. I
Baylor College of Medicine - Postdoctoral Training
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Current Positions in Professional Organizations:
- Member, Alpha Omega Alpha
- Member, American Academy of Neurology
- Member, American Neurological Association
- Member, American Society of Human Genetics
- Member, Child Neurology Society
- Member, The Society for Pediatric Research
- Member, National Academy for the Advancement of Science
- Member, Human Genome Organization (HUGO)
- Member, Society of Neuroscience
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Research Interests:
- Genetic and cell biological approaches to explore the pathogenesis of polyglutamine neurodegenerative diseases and Rett syndrome, and to study genes essential for normal neurodevelopment.
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Current Research & Funding:
- Principal investigator: Molecular Studies in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1. Sponsored by NIH/NINDS. The goal of this study is to characterize the SCA1 gene product, study a knock-in mouse model, and identify genes altered in SCA1.
- Principal investigator: Molecular Pathogenesis of Rett syndrome (Program project grant). Sponsored by NIH/NICHHD. Goals of this project are to carry out phenotype/genotype correlation studies in Rett syndrome; generate mouse models that either lack or over-express MeCP2; and evaluate the effect of dietary methyl donors on methylation and gene expression.
- Principal investigator: Genetic Approaches to Study Neuronal Function and Dysfunction. Sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Goals are to study pathogenesis of SCA7 and SCA6 polyglutamine disorders and functional analysis of genes essential for nervous system development using a cross species approach.
- Principal investigator: Mental Retardation Research Center. Sponsored by NIH/NICHHD. Goals are to advance understanding of molecular basis and pathogenesis of several human diseases that cause developmental disabilities and/or mental retardation; identify the basis of several MRDD disorders; improve diagnosis; develop an animal model for these human disorders; identify the genes that are essential for normal development; and make new advances in gene therapy research.
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