Fall 2025

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August 29, 2025

Richard A. Lang, PhD

Professor and Endowed Chair
University of Cincinnati Department of Ophthalmology

Opsins 3, 4 and 5, in development, homeostasis and disease, inside and outside the eye

The non-visual opsins OPN3 (encephalopsin), OPN4 (melanopsin), and OPN5 (neuropsin) are short-wavelength photon detectors with crucial roles in mammalian physiology. We have learned that all three opsins have important roles inside and outside the eye, in guiding developmental processes and regulating energy homeostasis in adults.

Hosted by: Ignacio Provencio, PhD

12:00 PM | Gilmer Hall Auditorium 390 | Add to Calendar 

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September 5, 2025

Seham Ebrahim, PhD

Assistant Professor, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics | University of Virginia School of Medicine

When force is necessary- exploring the structure and function of mechanosensory complexes across organs

Mechanical forces shape physiology across organs, from sensing sound in the inner ear to maintaining barrier function in the gut. This talk will explore how transmembrane channel-like (TMC) proteins assemble into mechanosensory complexes and how their structure and localization drive tissue-specific functions. By integrating cell biological, genetic approaches, computational and structural approaches, we uncover common principles and organ-specific adaptations of these fascinating channels.

Hosted by: Ariel Pani, PhD

12:00 PM | Gilmer Hall Auditorium 390 | Add to Calendar

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September 12, 2025

David Hembry, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor | James Madison University

Macroevolution and persistence of insect-plant mutualisms

We live in a biosphere pervaded by mutualisms, although theory suggests that mutualisms should be vulnerable to both breakdown and species loss. These problems may be especially acute for highly specialized mutualisms. Here I use both phylogenetic comparative methods and species interaction networks to examine the macroevolutionary persistence of a specialized brood pollination mutualism between leafflower plants (Phyllanthaceae) and leafflowermoths (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae: Epicephala), which are both pollinators and seed predators of their host plants

Hosted by: Laura Galloway, PhD and Katja Kasimatis, PhD

12:00 PM | Gilmer Hall Auditorium 390 | Add to Calendar

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September 19, 2025

Larry S. Zweifel, PhD

Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences | University of Washington

Unravelling the complex regulation of the brain's dopamine system

Dopamine releasing neurons of the ventral midbrain regulation numerous motivated behaviors and emotional processes. We have performed comprehensive analysis of the genetic heterogeneity in these cells, the circuits that control them, the signaling pathways that regulate them, and the ion channels that give them their signature encoding properties. I will summarize how we think the system is organized to mediate its many functions.

Hosted by: Ali Guler, PhD and Christopher Deppmann, PhD

12:00 PM | Gilmer Hall Auditorium 390 | Add to Calendar

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September 26, 2025

Sarah Siegrist, PhD

Associate Professor | Department of Biology | University of Virginia

Time Flies: Neural Stem Cell State Transitions during Development

12:00 PM | Gilmer Hall Auditorium 390