Mary C. Halloran

Departments:

Integrative Biology
Neuroscience

Education:

Ph.D. in Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
Postdoctoral in Developmental Neuroscience, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Research Description:

Research in my lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that control neuronal morphogenesis. Much of our work takes advantage of our ability to do high resolution in vivo imaging of developing neurons within intact zebrafish embryos.

I have extensive experience with live imaging of developing neurons in in situ preparations, beginning in graduate school when I developed a method to image axon outgrowth in mammalian brain slices. Since the beginning of my postdoctoral work, I have worked with zebrafish and have carried out live imaging of multiple neural cell types in zebrafish embryos. Most of the publications from my lab include live imaging of neurons or neural crest cells in vivo. During the past few years, my lab has extended our studies to include behavioral analyses of both larval and adult zebrafish. We have designed and executed multiple experiments using imaging of animal behavior to gain insight into neural circuits. Recently, we have used the zebrafish lateral line hair cells as a model to study mechanisms of sensory hair cell death, and mechanisms that regulate the ER–mitochondria axis.

Research Key Words:

Neuronal Morphogenesis, Neural Development, Zebrafish Imaging, ER-Mitochondria Axis

Diversity Statement:

I am committed to fostering a lab environment that is welcoming, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory, where people of all backgrounds and experiences can thrive.

Link to Publications