New Faculty Profiles allow GSA members who are establishing their first labs to introduce themselves to our wider community. If you’d like to submit your profile, please complete this form.
Karen Mruk
Assistant Professor at the School of Pharmacy: Programs in Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, and Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences
University of Wyoming
Lab website
Briefly describe the ongoing and expected research projects as your lab gets up and running.
In the CNS, specialized cells work together to differentiate, wire, and later die to form a completely integrated system. As a chemical biologist, I integrate chemistry, organismal biology, and cellular/molecular techniques to investigate the injury response and regeneration of the CNS. In particular, my lab uses the zebrafish as a model because of their remarkable regenerative capacity.
My lab is particularly focused on understanding the role bioelectricity plays in locomotor recovery and the genetic factors that govern this process. Bioelectric signals generated by membrane proteins, such as changes in membrane voltage, are required for embryonic patterning, wound healing, and tissue regeneration suggesting a mechanistic link between membrane potential and an individual cell’s behavior as well as cell-cell communication. To gain a systems-level understanding of the bioelectric network we are utilizing multi-electrode array electrophysiology. By recording the CNS network over time and monitoring swim behavior, we will understand how global changes in bioelectricity contribute to recovery. We aim to combine these studies with traditional genomics in order to identify new therapeutic intervention points.
How has being a member of GSA helped you advance in your career? Why do you think societies like GSA are important?
One of my favorite blogs is Genes to Genomes. I really enjoy participating in The Allied Genetics Conference; it provides a unique opportunity to meet with scientists using other model organisms, helping to establish new collaborations.
If your position involves teaching, which subjects or courses are you expecting to teach?
Mind, Brain, and Behavior
Are you looking to recruit students and/or postdocs? If so, please describe and be sure to also post the opportunity to GeneticsCareers.org.
YES! We are actively looking for new lab members — especially those in love with the zebrafish!
What is your favorite thing about science or about your work?
I get to learn something new every day and work with some really amazing students!
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
Hiking or snowshoeing — depending on the weather!
Previous training experiences:
- BA, Drew University (research intern at L’Oreal)
- PhD, University of Massachusetts Medical School (with Professor William Kobertz)
- Postdoc, Stanford University (with Professor James Chen)
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