Awarded in 2013
Home Department: Computer Science
Faculty Advisors: Gill Bejerano (Developmental Biology, Computer Science, and Pediatrics), Susan McConnell (Biology), and Philippe Mourrain (Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences)

Research Title: The genomics of neurodevelopment: transcriptional networks underlying the developing neocortex

Research Description: The outer layer of the brain, or neocortex, encompasses many of the features that make us human. Consisting of six layered sheets of neurons, it plays a critical role in cognition, emotion, and perception. The neocortex is formed during embryonic development, and a carefully orchestrated genetic program specifies the roles of its different neurons. Decades of studies have revealed some of the key players in this process, but the upstream and downstream logic remains largely unknown. Jim hopes to expand on the understanding of this highly specific genetic program using whole-genome measurements of the developing neocortex.

WHERE IS HE NOW?

James is the head of informatics at MapLight Therapeutics, which was founded by Stanford Bio-X faculty members Dr. Karl Deisseroth and Dr. Robert Malenka.