Tsai Lab studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synapse and neural circuit development.
Specifically, we focus on genes implicated in autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. We're interested in delineating the neuronal circuitry underlying these disorders with a particular interest in the cerebellar circuits that contribute to these disorders.
From our studies, we hope to identify avenues that will translate into novel therapeutics for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Meet the Principal Investigator
Peter Tsai, M.D., Ph.D
Principal Investigator
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Pete is a native Texan from the Houston area. He graduated from Harvard University with an A.B. in Biochemical Sciences before migrating west to the University of California – Los Angeles – where he completed his M.D./Ph.D. There, he worked in the laboratory of Dr. Hong Wu, M.D., Ph.D. where he investigated the contribution of the Erythropoietin Receptor in neuronal development and post stroke neurogenesis. After completion of his graduate and medical training, he returned east where he completed his pediatrics and child neurology residencies at Boston Children’s Hospital. He then completed a child behavioral neurology fellowship where he started and directed the Cerebellar Neurodevelopmental Disorders Clinic, focusing not only on the motor aspects of cerebellar dysfunction but also on the significant cognitive and behavioral sequelae of these disorders. He joined the laboratory of Dr. Mustafa Sahin, M.D., Ph.D. where he investigated the contribution of cerebellar dysfunction to autistic behaviors by developing a cerebellar mouse model of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. There, he was faculty from 2011–2014, until he made the move to Dallas to further pursue these research interests. Clinically, Pete continues to care for children with autism and cerebellar dysfunction in the Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities while pursuing his interests in delineating the mechanisms by which cerebellar dysfunction results in abnormal cognition and behavior in neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside of the above, he can frequently be found having food related fun with his family.
Current Lab Members
Chongyu Ren M.D., Ph.D.
Research Scientist
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Chongyu Ren is a researcher who enjoys working with patch clamp techniques. Chongyu is from Shandong Province, the North of China, where he got his M.D, Ph.D. in Physiology at Peking Union Medical College, in Beijing. In 2006, he came to the U.S. for his first post-doctoral training position where he worked on cardiovascular electrophysiology in Dr. Blaustein’s lab at the University of Maryland until 2008. He has also worked in Dr. Yong Wang’s lab at the University of Utah from 2008 to 2012, until he made the move to Dallas with his family. Currently, he is a research scientist in Peter Tsai’s lab at UT Southwestern, and is focusing on understanding electrical properties of brain slices in mouse models of Autism and cerebellar dysfunction. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his two little girls at home, playing tennis, swimming, and sitting quietly the watching sky.
Kunihiko Yamashiro Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Kunihiko.Yamashiro@UTsouthwestern.edu
Kunihiko is from Okinawa, Japan and graduated from Tokyo Medical and Dental University in 2021 where he got Ph.D., then he joined Tsai Lab. His interest of neuroscience is to know biological mechanisms how the neuromodulaters within the cerebellar circuit contributes to non-motor function such as social behavior. In his free time, he enjoys watching soccer and NBA, and playing video games.
If you weren't in science, what would you be doing?: TBD
Tommy Tan B.A.
Graduate Student
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Tommy is a native of Texas from Beaumont. He earned his B.A. in biology at The University of Texas at Dallas. He is currently an MD PhD candidate in the Medical Scientist Training Program at UTSW. After a stint in the Tsai lab as an undergrad, he decided to join full-time as a graduate studentwhere he investigates the role of the cerebellum in feeding behavior. In his spare time, he enjoys running and cooking.
If you weren't in science, what would you be doing?: Rice farmer in the mountains of China
Anthony Hernandez Vazquez B.Sc.
Graduate Student
Anthony.HernandezVazquez@utsouthwestern.edu
Anthony graduated from the University of Puerto Rico–Río Piedras with a bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology in 2020. His undergraduate research explored the role of a neuropeptide called Fulicin in the central nervous system of the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata, an intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni. In the Tsai Lab, Anthony investigates how cerebellar–subthalamic circuit neuromodulation regulates feeding across lean and obese states. In his spare time, Anthony enjoys collecting fun animal facts, watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, and staying impressively fluent in internet brain rot.
If you weren’t in science what would you be doing?: International Relations
Andrea Pineda Sanchez B.Sc.
Graduate Student
Andrea.PinedaSanchez@utsouthwestern.edu
Andrea is originally from Juarez, Mexico. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). During her undergraduate years, she worked in Dr. Khan's Systems Neuroscience Lab mapping neural circuits that control homeostatic behaviors in the hypothalamus. She is now obtaining her Neuroscience PhD in the Tsai Lab by investigating cerebellar circuits and molecules that mediate feeding behavior. Outside of the lab she enjoys going dancing with her husband, trying new foods/restaurants, and spending time with her family and friends.
If you weren't in science, what would you be doing?: Food critic
Ian Chambers B.Sc.
Graduate Student
Ian.Chambers@utsouthwestern.edu
Ian graduated from Rhodes College in 2019 with a B.Sc. in biochemistry and molecular biology. After completing his undergraduate work, Ian trained as a post-bacc at the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Baltimore, MD. He is currently an MD PhD candidate in the Medical Scientist Training Program at UTSW. In the Tsai Lab, Ian studies how cerebellar circuits influence social behavior and how cerebellar dysfunction contributes to autism-related behaviors. In his spare time, Ian enjoys spending time with his family, making music, watching sports, and staying active outdoors.
If you weren’t in science what would you be doing?: Playing the guitar in an amateur garage band
Michellee Garcia B.A.
Graduate Student
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Michellee received her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 2021. As an undergraduate, she studied the behavior of several model organisms, including turtles and chickadees. She joined the Kato Lab as a research technician, where she investigated neuronal circuits in the auditory cortex involved in transforming sound input into behavioral output. In the Tsai Lab, she hopes to explore interactions between the hypothalamus and cerebellum and their relevance to autism spectrum disorders. When not surgerizing mice, you can find her at local coffee shops asking for oat milk and cuddling her bulldog, Sadie.
If you weren't in science, what would you be doing?: Children's Museum Curator
Emanuel Sebastian
Undergraduate Student
Emanuel Sebastian is a student at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in neuroscience. Currently, he is on the pre-med pathway with a general interest in brain function and behavior. In the future, Emanuel is interested in pursuing a medical career as a neurologist.
Suhaas Gaddala
Undergraduate Student
Suhaas Gaddala is a computer science student at The University of Texas at Dallas, and is especially interested in building at the intersection of clinical and healthcare AI. In the future, he wants to create something that can make people rethink what’s possible while improving how care is delivered and experienced.
Lab Alumni
- Christine Ochoa, Ph.D
- Fantao Meng, Ph.D
- Yoheilly Velazquez, Ph.D
- Lidiette Angeles-Perez, Ph.D
- Brianna Ramirez, M.D., Ph.D
- Jennifer Gibson, Ph.D
- Christopher Cano, M.D.
- Brianne Dentel, Ph.D
- Elyza Kelly, Ph.D
- Zain Lakhani, M.S.
- Abigail Flores
- Yasaman Kazemi
- Cecilia O'Brien
- Harshitha Mageshkumar
- Fiona Chace-Donahue
- Emily Oh
- Mariam Madinawala
- Razaq Durodoye
- Eskedar Girmash
- Zasca Ristianto
- Cyrena Howland
- Cleone Howland
- Shwetiha Rajagopal, B.S.
- Nidhi Prakuzhy
- Alejandro Rey Hipolito
- Dylan Jiang
- Olutayo Sofela
- Saanvi Vinod