Mercedes Paredes, M.D., Ph.D., University of California, San Fransisco

The Paredes lab studies cortical development to understand the molecular and cellular basis of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as epilepsy, and brain malformations. Our hypothesis is that the gyrencephalic brain has evolved developmental processes and a prolonged timeline that, when disrupted, will lead to cortical disorganization and aberrant connectivity. We are currently focused on identifying features of neuronal progenitor proliferation and migration, with an emphasis on the perinatal period, that are unique to the gyrated brain. Our approach is to advance ways to directly investigate the human brain and to better model its development using gyrencephalic systems like the piglet cortex.