Joe Toonen, PhD, is interested in understanding how optic gliomas cause nerve cells in the eye to malfunction and lead to vision loss. Using novel Nf1 mouse strains, Dr. Toonen’s research is focused on defining the mechanisms that control nerve cell function in the eye (retina) relevant to the development of better treatments for the visual decline resulting from NF1-associated optic glioma.
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On Wednesday June 11, 2014, Cynthia Garcia, PhD, a previous graduate student in the laboratory of David H. Gutmann, MD PhD, defended her dissertation as the final step in achieving her PhD in Neuroscience.
Dr. Garcia’s dissertation focused on understanding why spinal tumors, or ependymomas, form in individuals with NF2. Using a combination of methods, she has identified a promising drug target for potential treatment of NF2-associated ependymoma.
After her presentation, members of the Washington University NF Center celebrated this momentous occasion and wished Dr. Garcia good luck in all her future endeavors.
Cynthia Garcia is focused on understanding why spinal tumors form in people with NF2. Using a combination of methods, she has identified a promising drug target for potential treatment of NF2-associated ependymoma.
Cynthia is a PhD candidate in Neuroscience at Washington University. She will present her dissertation in June 2014.
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Anne Solga is studying the role of non-cancerous cells in NF1-associated optic glioma as an initial step towards identifying new treatments for these common childhood brain tumors. Using advanced sequencing and mouse modeling strategies, she has found a number of promising candidates for future drug design.
Anne Solga has her MS in Biotechnology and is currently pursuing her PhD.
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