Research
We are interested in how neural circuits form and how they can be made vulnerable to disease or become modified to generate symptoms. To do this the lab incorporates a multidisciplinary approach to study the generation and function of neural circuits in mouse models relevant to human disease. Our recent work has focused on three main areas. The first employs microscopy and super-resolution strategies to examine cellular mechanisms driving synapse formation and regulating synapse composition. The second relates these cellular phenomena to cell function and behavior; and the third strategy examines coordinated actions between nervous and immune systems. These approaches are currently being employed in order to identify rules and patterns important for establishing corticostriatal circuits relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders and to test how the same circuits expressing gene mutations relevant to Parkinson’s disease respond differently to stressful experiences and may even generate an environment more supportive for tumor growth and metastasis.
WE ARE HIRING!
JOIN US!
The Benson and Huntley labs are looking for Postdocs interested 
in studying the impact of a Parkinson’s-risk gene on cognition.
An NIH-funded postdoctoral position is available immediately at the IcahnSchool of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City to study cortical top-down control of cognitive function in mice carrying a Parkinson’s risk gene mutation using a combination of behavioral, slice electrophysiological and in vivo circuit-manipulation strategies We are looking for enthusiastic, hard-working and collegial scientists who have a recent PhD in Neuroscience or a related field. Experience with in vivo optogenetics and/or ex vivo whole-cell electrophysiology is particularly valued.
TO APPLY: Interested candidates should send their curriculum vitae, a brief description of their research goals, and the names of three references to george.huntley@mssm.edu.
About Mount Sinai: The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Mount Sinai Health System is internationally acclaimed for excellence in scientific research, clinical care, and education. The Mount Sinai Health System is an equal opportunity employer. We promote recognition and respect for individual and cultural differences, and we work to make our employees feel valued and appreciated, whatever their race, gender, background, or sexual orientation.
Publications
Meet the Team
Christopher Guevara
PhD Student
Romario Thomas
Associate Researcher
Pamela Del Valle
PhD Student
Alexander Tielemans
PhD Student
Swati Gupta
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ally Magee
PhD Student
Kumayl Alloo
Undergraduate
Victoria Samojedny, CEYE, High School for Mathematics, Science & Engineering
Michelle Lee, CEYE, High School for Mathematics, Science & Engineering
Matthew Fields, Hunter High School
LAB ALUMNI (Current Position)
Amelia Weiland (Brown University)
Sarah Garcia Moreno (Cornell University)
Kyomi Blake (LaSante Health Center)
Emily Dodd (Undergraduate, Washington University)
Nikhat Meman (Undergraduate, Brandeis)
Fatema Begum (Fullbright Fellow)
Abhishek Sahasrabudhe, PhD (Senior Scientist, Merck)
Ayan Hussein, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow, Weill Cornell Graduate School)
Roxana Mesias, PhD (Diversity Program Manager, Weill Cornell Graduate School)
Mofida Abdelmageed (Penn State College of Medicine, PhD student)
Bridget Matikainen-Ankney, PhD (Assistant Professor, Rutgers University)
Nebojsa Kezunovic, PhD (Medical Science Liason, Amgen)
Cynthia Mercedes, MS (Clinical Research Assoc, Mount Sinai)
Lauren Friedman, PhD (Scientific Program Manager, NINDS)
Chenel Morrison, BS (Medical Student, Cornell-Weill)
Frances Williams, MPH (Graduate Research Asst, Columbia)
Ellen Hoffman, MD, PhD(Assistant Professor, Yale Child Study Center)
Bryan Sepulveda, MS, PhD (Sr Director Evidence Generation Strategy & Scientific Comm for Sirtex Medical)
Kuangfu Hsiao, PhD (Assistant Professor, Children’s National Research Institute)
Caitlin Trasande, PhD (Scientific Director, Sr Program Manager, Sloan-Kettering)
Ioana Carcea, MD, PhD (Assistant Professor, Rutgers University, Brain Health Institute)
Pamela Shah/Mukhatiyar, BS, MD (Asst Professor, Pediatrics, Rutgers NJ Medical School)
Eva Chmielnicki, PhD (Director of Business Development, Bristol Meyers Squibb)
Tonya Anderson, PhD (Medical Science Consultant & Patient Advocate/Liason)
C. David Mintz, MD, PhD (Assoc Professor, Johns Hopkins)
Iddil Bekirov, PhD (Program Manager, OTDC, NIMH)
Tracey Dickson, PhD (Director, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, Univ of Tasmania, Australia)
Wandong Zhang, PhD (Senior Scientist, BioMarin Pharmaceutical)
