Leadership
Welcome from the Chair of Neurobiology
Welcome to the Department of Neurobiology at UMass Chan Medical School!
Our department is a vibrant and collaborative community of scientists dedicated to advancing the understanding of the nervous system-from molecules to behavior. Since our founding in 2001, we built a dynamic research environment that fosters innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific excellence and a commitment to training.
Our faculty are internationally recognized for their pioneering work in addiction, circadian biology, neurodegeneration and repair, developmental neurobiology, glia, neurogenetics, sensory processing, stress, and synaptic physiology. We use a variety of experimental systems including invertebrate, murine and human-derived models to uncover conserved mechanisms of neural function, development and behavior, This research is carried out in our new state-of-the-art research and training space in the Paul J. DiMare Center.
In addition to research, our faculty are committed to providing a first-class training experience for trainees to engage them in becoming independent scientists who will succeed in a variety of environments. As a department we foster a culture that maximizes this success through an emphasis on highly collegial environment that seeks to give all out trainees a voice and a sense of belonging that enhances engagement in scientific discovery.
Whether you are a prospective trainee, a fellow researcher, or simply curious about the brain, I invite you to explore our department, learn about our work, and connect with our community. Together, we are advancing the science of the brain and shaping the future of neuroscience.
Warm regards,
Danny Winder, PhD
Chair, Department of Neurobiology
UMass Chan Medical School
Patrick Emery joined the department of Neurobiology at the time of its foundation in 2001. His lab studies circadian rhythms and sleep in Drosophila, as well as circatidal rhythms in the crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis.
He has served as vice-Chair of the department since 2016. Patrick Emery’s responsibilities include the organization and supervision of the departmental junior Faculty mentoring program. He serves on several departmental and school committees.
He has also played a leadership role in course development for the GSBS and the program of Neuroscience.
David R. Weaver, PhD, Professor of Neurobiology, has served as the Director of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience since 2006.
The interdepartmental graduate program has approximately 80 affiliated faculty and over 30 students working toward their doctoral degrees. Dave’s roles include participating in the leadership groups for the Basic Biomedical Sciences program and the BBS Umbrella Program, coordinating Neuroscience curriculum offerings, and generally advising students and keeping them on track. He has coordinated and/or participated in many courses offered by the Program and currently co-directs the Neurobiology Seminar course with Dr. Kensuke Futai.
Prior to joining the Department of Neurobiology in 2001,Dave was as Associate Professor at Massachusetts General Hospital/ Harvard Medical School. His research focus is on the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythm generation and the consequences of circadian rhythm disruption on metabolism and physiology in mammals.