Our Team
Lab Members
A collaborative team of neuroscientists, cell biologists, and engineers working to understand the brain.
Principal Investigator
Christopher D. Deppmann
Chris Deppmann is a Professor of Biology at the University of Virginia with joint appointments in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, and Cell Biology. He directs the Program in Fundamental Neuroscience and co-directs the Quantitative Neuroscience Graduate Program. His lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of neural circuit assembly, axon degeneration, and adaptive metabolism — from how neurons compete for survival during development to how the brain regulates feeding behavior. The lab develops cutting-edge technologies including magnetogenetics for remote neuronal activation and single-cell mass cytometry for high-dimensional brain cell profiling. He teaches Biochemistry (BIOL 3030) to nearly 500 students each year, bringing creative approaches to science education including AI-generated trading cards, original music, and podcasts. He has trained over 60 undergraduate researchers and mentored 21 PhD students, many of whom have gone on to faculty positions, postdoctoral fellowships, and leadership roles in industry and policy.
Education
- PhD, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology — Purdue University (Elizabeth Taparowsky Lab, 1997–2003)
- Post-doctoral Fellow — Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (David Ginty Lab, 2003–2009)
- BS, Biomedical Sciences & Chemistry — Western Michigan University (1997)
Selected Honors
- All-University Teaching Award, UVA (2016)
- Kavli Frontiers Fellow, National Academy of Sciences (2015)
- Mead Honored Faculty Teaching Award, UVA (2013–2014)
- Hartwell Foundation Individual Biomedical Research Award (2012–2015)
- Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship (2010–2012)
- Excellence in Diversity Fellowship, UVA (2009)
Research Staff
Post-Doctoral Fellows
Investigating neuronal competition and circuit-level consequences of developmental signaling. Leading work on how brain reward circuits are modulated by metabolic signals.
Graduate Program
PhD Students
Our graduate students come from Biology, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Quantitative Neuroscience programs.
Studying circuit-level mechanisms of neural development using advanced imaging and computational approaches.
Investigating the intersection of neural circuit assembly and quantitative methods in neuroscience.
Exploring quantitative approaches to understanding axon degeneration and neural circuit remodeling.
Investigating extrinsic apoptosis pathways in axon degeneration. Published in Cell Death & Differentiation (2025).
NIH F31 fellowship recipient studying the molecular mechanisms of synaptic competition during neural circuit development.
Applying quantitative methods to study long-distance neuronal signaling and endosome trafficking.
New member investigating neurotrophic factor signaling in the developing nervous system.
New member exploring the molecular mechanisms of neural circuit formation and maintenance.
New member studying brain metabolism and the neural regulation of feeding behavior.
Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduates are integral to our research. Many go on to medical school, graduate programs, and research careers.
Current Lab Members
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