Neurological Surgery Research
Labs and Researchers
Brain Fluids Lab
The Brain Fluids Lab studies cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and its relationship with brain shape and function. Combining these insights with clinical experience, the team designs cellular and genetic therapies to treat hydrocephalus and other conditions causing intellectual disability.
Principal Investigators
Cameron Sadegh, M.D., Ph.D.
Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab
The Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory seeks to develop novel immunotherapies for primary brain tumors and metastases to the central nervous system.
Principal Investigator
Orin Bloch, M.D.
Bronte Lab
The Bronte Lab is focused on decoding mechanisms and developing novel interventions for the treatment of pediatric, adolescent, and adult epilepsy.
Principal Investigators
Gene Gurkoff, M.D.
Ali Izadi, Ph.D.
Christelle Anaclet, Ph.D.
Chang Lab
The Chang Lab works at the intersection of peripheral nerve regeneration and neuromodulation for chronic pain. The team seeks to harness device-based and neuromodulation techniques to restore function after traumatic nervous system injury.
Principal Investigator
Stephano Chang, M.D.
Marcu Laboratory
The Marcu Lab promotes better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human diseases through advancements in biophotonics technology. The team studies the relationship between tissue pathology and measured optical signals to create new medical tools.
Principal Investigator
Laura Marcu, Ph.D.
Neuromodulate Lab
The lab employs innovative, multidisciplinary research techniques in rodent models of traumatic brain injury and epilepsy to explore how neural circuits respond and adapt in the context of neurological disease.
Principal Investigators
Gene Gurkoff, Ph.D.
Ali Izadi, Ph.D.
Neuroprosthetics Lab
The goal of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab is to develop technology to restore abilities affected by neurological injury and disease. The team builds brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to help people living with neurological impairments regain lost function.
Principal Investigators
Sergey Stavisky, Ph.D.
David Brandman, M.D., Ph.D.
Oehrn Lab
The Oehrn Lab researches the function of neural oscillations to develop adaptive deep brain stimulation technologies. These sense brain activity and adjust stimulation in real-time to improve movement, mood and cognition for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other conditions.
Principal Investigators
Carina Oehrn, M.D., Ph.D.
Savalia Lab
The Savalia Lab aims to better understand the pathomechanisms of secondary injuries following TBI, with a specific focus on intracranial hypertension and paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, to ultimately improve therapeutic options, patients’ clinical trajectories, long term recovery, and health system outcomes.
Principal Investigators
Krupa K. Savalia, M.D., Ph.D.
SCIFI LAB: Spinal Cord Injury, Function, and Imaging (SCIFI)
Through the lenses of degenerative cervical myelopathy and traumatic spinal cord injury, the SCIFI lab investigates the measurement of spinal cord function and the potential of novel imaging methods to improve accuracy and reliability of these measures.
Principal Investigators
Allan Martin, M.D., Ph.D.
Waldau Lab
The Waldau Lab investigates mechanisms of cognitive decline after aneurysmal rupture. The team’s work on vascularization of human brain organoids with human endothelial cells has been cited more than 500 times.
Principal Investigator
Ben Waldau, M.D.
Z-Lab
The Z-Lab is interested in neural mechanisms and computational principles underlying the memory system in humans. The team leverages the research opportunities from in vivo intracranial electrophysiology to study, manipulate, and empower cognitive functions in humans.
Principal Investigator
Jie Zheng (JZ), Ph.D.
Anaclet Research
Christelle Anaclet, Ph.D., studies the neuronal circuitry regulating sleep-wake cycle and the beneficial role of sleep in physiology and diseases.
Principal Investigator
Christelle Anaclet, Ph.D.
Zwienenberg Research
Marike Zwienenberg, M.D., seeks to optimize the care and outcomes of children with traumatic brain injury by taking a regional approach, instead of the traditional site-specific approach, to their triage.
Principal Investigator
Marike Zwienenberg, M.D.