Brain-Body Center Researchers
Center Director
Polina Anikeeva is developing new tools to examine the gut-brain connection and how gastrointestinal dysfunction can arise in ASDs, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and anxiety.
Center Faculty
Alan Jasanoff is addressing higher-level aspects of interoception by applying a novel battery of
imaging approaches to map neurochemical signaling dynamics in the gut.
Fan Wang is developing novel tools and imaging methods to study autonomic responses and sympathetic-parasympathetic system balance, including how pain influences these interactions. She is also advancing techniques for documenting changes in brain and peripheral tissues induced by acupuncture.
Feng Zhang is pioneering molecular techniques to restore the equilibrium within cells affected by injury, degeneration, and other disease processes.
Fellows
Itay Fayer
Graduate Student – Jasanoff Lab
Itay Fayer’s research explores brain-body interactions in vivo using MRI-based methods.
Sreeparna Pradhan
Postdoctoral Fellow – Flavell Lab
Sreeparna Pradhan studies the role of neuropeptides in gut-brain communication, and their effects on animal behavior and physiology.