Our Team

A dedicated team of researchers, clinicians, and scientists working together to advance our understanding of pediatric neurological diseases and develop innovative treatments.

Principal Investigator

Dr. David Rowitch

Dr. David H. Rowitch, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator Deputy Director NAM Member

Dr. Rowitch is an internationally renowned neonatologist and developmental neuroscientist whose laboratory investigates genetic factors that determine development and diversity of glial cells of the brain and the response to injury.

Current Positions

  • • Deputy Director, Research, Guerin Children's
  • • Professor of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge
  • • Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator

Honors

  • • National Academy of Medicine (2024)
  • • Fellow, Royal Society (2021)
  • • Fellow, Academy of Medical Sciences (2018)
Full Biography View Publications
Dr. Jordan Donohue

Dr. Jordan Donohue, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Jordan’s work focuses on understanding how vulnerable neurons in neurodevelopmental disease interact with local glial cells and how transcriptional differences in these populations underly etiology.

Autisium Neuron
Dr.

Dr. Cinthia Rangel Sandoval PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Cinthia is a neuroscientist specializing in cellular electrophysiology and synaptic physiology. Her research investigates how molecular and genetic perturbations alter neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission, with a particular focus on cortical and hippocampal circuits. She employs whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in acute brain slices to study intrinsic neuronal properties, synaptic plasticity mechanisms, and neuron–glia interactions that contribute to circuit dysfunction in epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Electrophysiology Astrocyte
Xin

Dr. Xin Tao PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Xin received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Riverside, where her research focused on auditory processing and autism. At the Rowitch Lab, she will study Pelizaeus–Merzbacher Disease (PMD) using mouse models and am developing gene therapy strategies aimed at future translation to human treatments. Outside the lab, she enjoy fitness, spending time in nature, and photography.

Neuroscience PMD
Leo

Dr. Leo (Serrano) Ramon PhD

Lab Manager/Research Specialist

Laboratory manager overseeing daily operations, maintaining equipment, and supporting multiple research projects with technical expertise.

Lab Management Technical Support
member-Khalida

Dr. Khalida Sabeur Naceur, PhD

Research Specialist

Supporting research projects, including project planning, experimental protocols & procedures, and administration. Project lead and coordinator interacting with collaborators, clinical research personnel and researchers as part of a research team.

Genomics Technical Support
Dr. John Xu

Dr. John Xu PhD

Research Data Scientist

Supporting genomic sequencing projects and data analysis for the Predictome Project. Expertise in bioinformatics and computational biology.

Genomics Bioinformatics

Lab Culture

We foster a collaborative, inclusive environment where innovation thrives and every team member contributes to advancing pediatric neuroscience.

Collaboration

We work together across disciplines, combining clinical expertise with cutting-edge research to solve complex neurological challenges.

Innovation

We embrace new technologies and methodologies, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in neuroscience research.

Compassion

Everything we do is driven by our commitment to improving the lives of children and families affected by neurological diseases.