Nash Family Department of Neuroscience

Description:
Neuroprogenitor cells rely on specific molecules to regulate their shape, function, and fate. Our lab investigates the role of Plexin-B2 mechano-axis regulating the differentiation of human neuroprogenitor cells.

Bio:
Dr. Junqueira Alves is currently a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratories of Dr. Hongyan Zou and Dr. Roland Friedel in the Department of Neuroscience and Neurosurgery. He studies the role of axon guidance receptor Plexin-B2 in human neurodevelopment using human stem cells, neuroprogenitor cells, and cerebral organoid models. Dr. Junqueira Alves is also interested in understanding the role of Plexin-B2 driving the invasiveness of glioma stem cells using microfabricated devices.

Research focus: the role of Plexin-B2 during the human neurodevelopment and regulating the fate of stem cells.