Meet Our Scientists
Here's a sampling of stories about our researchers in the basic sciences. See the full list of basic science faculty.
![Biological Chemistry department](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/dept_2008.jpg)
![Deborah Andrew](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/andrew-deborah.jpg)
Debbie Andrew, Cell Biology
The students and postdocs in this cell biologist's lab are racking up research grants
![Joel Bader](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/bader-joel.jpg)
Joel Bader, Biomedical Engineering
Deconstructs the numbers game of computational biology
![Jay Baraban](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/baraban-jay.jpg)
Jay Baraban, Neuroscience
On learning how drug abuse rewires the brain
![James Barrow](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/barrow-james.jpg)
James Barrow, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
On the challenges and rewards of developing new treatments for psychiatric illnesses
![James Berger](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/berger-james.jpg)
James Berger, Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Director of the Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences
On learning how tiny proteins do mechanical work
![Dwight Bergles](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/bergles-dwight.jpg)
Dwight Bergles, Neuroscience
On shifting his focus from marine life to brain cells
![Seth Blackshaw](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/blackshaw-seth.jpg)
Seth Blackshaw, Neuroscience
On mapping genes in order to find treatments for hereditary blindness
![Namandje Bumpus](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/bumpus-namandje.jpg)
Namandje Bumpus, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
On chemistry, sports and community service
![Michael Caterina](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/caterina-michael.jpg)
Mike Caterina, Biological Chemistry and the Center for Sensory Biology
On skin and the senses
Patrick Cahan, Biomedical Engineering
On the algorithms behind tomorrow's stem cell therapies
![Janice Clements](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/clements-janice.jpg)
Janice Clements, Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology
On how HIV infects the brain
On joining the NIH's Council of Councils
![Nancy Craig](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/craig-nancy.jpg)
Nancy Craig, Molecular Biology and Genetics
On being "entranced" by the phenomenon of DNA that moves itself around in the genome
![Kathleen Cullen](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/cullen-kathleen.jpg)
Kathleen Cullen, Biomedical Engineering
On the electric appeal of the brain
![Peter Devreotes](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/devreotes-peter.jpg)
Peter Devreotes, Director of Cell Biology
On cell movement
![Angelika Doetzlhofer](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/doetzlhofer-angelika.jpg)
Angelika Doetzlhofer, Neuroscience and Center for Sensory Biology
On auditory hair cells
![Gul Dolen](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/dolen-gul.jpg)
Gul Dolen, Neuroscience
On how philosophy and neuroscience converge in the study of autism
![Xinzhong Dong](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/dong-xinzhong.jpg)
Xinzhong Dong, Neuroscience
On the molecules behind the itch
Jennifer Elisseeff, Biomedical Engineering and the Translational Tissue Engineering Center
On her work engineering tissues
On developing an artificial cornea
![Peter Espenshade](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/espenshade-peter.jpg)
Peter Espenshade, Cell Biology
On how the body senses cholesterol, research surprises, and the future of medical research
![Andrew Ewald](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/ewald-andrew.jpg)
Andy Ewald, Cell Biology and the Center for Cell Dynamics
On having the right tools to watch an epithelial tissue remodel its architecture
![Andrew Feinberg](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/feinberg-andrew.jpg)
Andrew Feinberg, Medicine and the Center for Epigenetics
On charm school, London and complex diseases
Ryuya Fukunaga, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
On small silencing RNAs
![Sandra Gabelli](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/gabelli-sandra.jpg)
Sandra Gabelli, Art as Applied to Medicine and Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry
On protein structures and pasta
![Kathleen Gabrielson](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/gabrielson-kathleen.jpg)
Kathleen Gabrielson, Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology
On the toxic effects of stress
![Wade Gibson](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/gibson-wade.jpg)
Wade Gibson, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
On virus assembly and doing what you love
![Loyal Goff](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/goff-loyal.jpg)
Loyal Goff, Neuroscience
On his winding path to academia
![Erin Goley](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/goley-erin.jpg)
Erin Goley, Biological Chemistry
How bacterial science is undergoing a renaissance
![Stephen Gould](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/gould-stephen.jpg)
Stephen Gould, Biological Chemistry
On a promising new direction for HIV research
![David Graham](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/graham-david.jpg)
David Graham, Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology
On pioneering viral proteomics
![Warren Grayson](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/grayson-warrenjpg.png)
Warren Grayson, Biomedical Engineering
On regenerating our own body parts
![Jordan Green](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/green-jordan.jpg)
Jordan Green, Biomedical Engineering
On LEGOS and nanoparticles
![Rachel Green](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/green-rachel.jpg)
Rachel Green, Molecular Biology and Genetics
Fascinated by the ribosome
Carol Greider, Molecular Biology and Genetics
On the importance of sharing results ‘ASAP’
"Telomere" expert shares 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
![Bill Guggino](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/guggino-william.jpg)
Bill Guggino, Physiology
On Hopkins' oldest basic science department
Contemplating fish, physiology, and his love of the sea
![Takjip Ha](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/ha-takjip.jpg)
Takjip Ha, Biomedical Engineering
On discovering molecules' personalities
![Andrew Holland](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/holland-andrew.jpg)
Andrew Holland, Molecular Biology and Genetics
On creating a better model for human cancers
![Rick Huganir](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/huganir-richard.jpg)
Rick Huganir, Neuroscience
Looks to the future of neuroscience
On erasing the emotional trauma from disturbing experiences in mice
Takanari Inoue, Cell Biology and the Center for Cell Dynamics
On the leading edge of migrating cells
![Alex Kolodkin](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/kolodkin-alex.jpg)
Alex Kolodkin, Neuroscience
On the importance of establishing connections
![Rong Li](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/li-rong.jpg)
Rong Li, Cell Biology
On cell dynamics and cellular evolution
![David Linden](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/linden-david.jpg)
David Linden, Neuroscience
On the formation of memory, the fun of lab work and his recent book The Compass of Pleasure
Jun Liu, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
On teaching an old dog new tricks -- using known drugs to treat new diseases
![Svetlana Lutsenko](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/lutsenko-svetlana.jpg)
Svetlana Lutsenko, Physiology
On the importance of copper metabolism
![Feilim Mac Gabhann](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/mac-gabhann-feilim.jpg)
Feilim Mac Gabhann, Biomedical Engineering
On mathematical models as versatile tools
![Joseph Mankowski](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/mankowski-joseph.jpg)
Joseph Mankowski, Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology
On investigating HIV and the journey from veterinarian to researcher
Seth Margolis, Biological Chemistry
On never underestimating the learning potential of a failed experiment
![Erica Matunis](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/matunis-erica.jpg)
Erika Matunis, Cell Biology
On how a profound scientific question can be fodder for a life's work
![Mollie Meffert](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/meffert-mollie.jpg)
Mollie Meffert, Biological Chemistry and Neuroscience
On memory and NFkappaB
![Kelly Metcalf Pate](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/metcalf-pate-kelly.jpg)
Kelly Metcalf Pate, Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology
On being both a vet and a biomedical researcher
![Caren Meyers](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/meyers-caren.jpg)
Caren Meyers, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
A passion for chemistry's puzzles and an intimate view of cancer's harsh realities led her into to the field of medicinal chemistry
![Susan Michaelis](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/michaelis-susan.jpg)
Susan Michaelis, Cell Biology
On good lamin going bad
![Jeremy Nathans](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/nathans-jeremy.jpg)
Jeremy Nathans, Molecular Biology and Genetics
Mulls over tech transfer and retinal research
Kristina Nielsen, Neuroscience
On how the brain turns pixels into objects
![Tamara O'Connor](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/oconnor-tamara.jpg)
Tamara O'Connor, Biological Chemistry
On Legionella bacteria using nature's Trojan horse
![Jennifer Pluznick](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/pluznick-jennifer.jpg)
Jennifer Pluznick, Physiology
On zooming in on the small details to understand an organism
![Joel Pomerantz](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/pomerantz-joel.jpg)
Joel Pomerantz, Biological Chemistry
On his collaboration with Robert Siliciano in eliminating HIV
On the machinery that helps immune cells make decisions
![Chris Potter](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/potter-christopher.jpg)
Chris Potter, Neuroscience
On the fruit fly being an excellent tool for genetic research of neuronal function
![Karen Reddy](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/reddy-karen.jpg)
Karen Reddy, Biological Chemistry
On what's missing in a two-dimensional view of a gene
Randall Reed, Molecular Biology and Genetics and the Center for Sensory Biology
On the sense of smell and why you should never drink wine with a straw
Roger Reeves, Physiology and McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine
On developing treatments for Down syndrome
![Sergi Regot](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/regot-sergi.jpg)
Sergi Regot, Molecular Biology and Genetics
On seeing cells as individuals
![Doug Robinson](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/robinson-doug.jpg)
Doug Robinson, Cell Biology
On the shape of amoebas
![Srivedi Sarma](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/sridevi-sarma.jpg)
Sridevi Sarma, Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for Computational Medicine
On how a sick relative influenced the course of her research
![Ronald Schnaar](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/schnaar-ronald.jpg)
Ronald Schnaar, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
On axon regeneration
![Reza Shadmehr](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/shadmehr-reza.jpg)
Reza Shadmehr, Biomedical Engineering
On motor learning
![Robert and Janet Siliciano](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/siliciano-bob-janet.jpg)
Robert and Janet Siliciano, Medicine
On the prospects of a cure for HIV infection
![Solomon Snyder](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/snyder-solomon.jpg)
Solomon Snyder, Neuroscience
On his love of research and quest for a Huntington's disease treatment
![Jungan Sohn](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/sohn-jungsan.jpg)
Jungsan Sohn, Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry
On how any organism, whether large or microscopic, must have a way to deal with stress
![James Stiver](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/stivers-james.jpg)
James Stivers, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
Before turning his attention to enzymes and nucleotides, James Stivers dealt in sharps and flats
![Sean Taverna](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/taverna-sean.jpg)
Sean Taverna, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences and the Center for Epigenetics
On potential cancer treatments
![Nitish Thakor](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/thakor-nitish.jpg)
Nitish Thakor, Biomedical Engineering
On developing a new prosthetic arm and inspiring other innovations
![Natalia Trayanova](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/traynova-natalia.jpg)
Natalia Trayanova, Biomedical Engineering
On developing computer simulations of the heart as tools for physicians
![Leslie Tung](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/tung-leslie.jpg)
Leslie Tung, Biomedical Engineering
On studying the beating of heart cells in a dish
![Rene Vidal](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/vidal-rene.jpg)
René Vidal, Biomedical Engineering
On developing programs that give computers and robots an ability akin to human vision
Rai Winslow, Biomedical Engineering
On the value of computer modeling
![Michael Wolfgang](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/wolfgang-michael.jpg)
Michael Wolfgang, Biological Chemistry and the Center for Metabolism and Obesity Research
On how going to school for pig farming leads to a career as a biological chemist
![Jie Xiao](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/xiao-jie.jpg)
Jie Xiao, Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry
On using a single-molecule method to see how genes are regulated
![King Wai Yau](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/yau-king-wai.jpg)
King Wai Yau, Neuroscience
On night vision that’s not “on the brain”
On why black and white TVs are not that bad
![Kathy Wilson](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/wilson-katherine.jpg)
Kathy Wilson, Cell Biology
On the structure of nuclei
![Kenneth Witwer](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/witwer-kenneth.jpg)
Kenneth Witwer, Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology
On microRNA and cellular bubbles
![Cynthia Wolberger](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/wolberger-cynthia.jpg)
Cynthia Wolberger, Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry
On ubiquitin and Candid Camera
![Natasha Zachara](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/zachara-natasha.jpg)
Natasha Zachara, Biological Chemistry
On women in science
![Heng Zhu](/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/zhu-heng.jpg)
Heng Zhu, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences and the HiT Center
On creating proteomics' primo tool