Created comprehensive mouse Molecular Cell Atlas of the heterogeneous amygdala with single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-molecule spatial transcriptomics.Established ‘Opioidomics‘ of amygdalar cell types expressing members of the opioid system and mapped long-range connections in the brain.Discovered multiple novel amygdalar analgesic drug targets by computationally correlating pain-related cell types in the amygdala with the enriched expression of non-opioid G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are highly druggable membrane proteins.Determined multiple novel analgesic compounds using in vivo pharmacology.Derived an innovative combination therapy of three amygdalar analgesics that alleviated acute pain affect and reduced chronic pain in preclinical rodent models.Optimized adult brain dissociation protocols and implemented neuronal cell culture.

Designed and implemented new methods to purify and assess the transcriptional profile of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) from the mouse retina. Determined distinct molecular subtypes of ipRGCs and clarified how they are linked to specialized visual functions.Transitioned transcriptomic analysis to quantitative antibody immunofluorescence co-expression analysis and circuit-based classification using confocal microscopy.Identified a transgenic strategy to label a novel RGC type and coordinated a multi-disciplinary team to define neurons by physiological, circuitry, molecular, and morphological criteria. Developed a method to correlate light and serial electron microscopy observations on genetically identified neurons.

Characterized developmental phenotypes of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) suppressor mutants in distinct genetic backgrounds.Developed genetic tool for cell-type specific RNAi silencing to study developmental cell fate.

Comprehensive assessment of genetic factors important for C. elegans stress response using quantitative Western Blot analysis, morphology phenotyping, and transgenic labeling.Genetic interaction study of C. elegans developmental timing and stress response pathway.

Quantified effect of potassium channel mutations on C. elegans male mating phenotypes. Applied Split-Ubiquitin Yeast Two-Hybrid system to understand protein interactions of potassium channel modulators related to motor control.