Our mission is to investigate the central and peripheral nervous systems at the molecular, cellular and behavioral levels, using cutting-edge interdisciplinary techniques.
The faculty, students and trainees conducting studies in this area are investigating everything from structural biophysics and molecular biology to cell signaling and optical imaging in preclinical models. We are proud to provide a welcoming, collaborative and innovative environment for researchers to seek creative answers to difficult questions, with opportunities to expand scientific knowledge and make discoveries with the potential for clinical implications.
We have a rich and distinguished history of studying neurophysiology and neurobiological disorders, and we maintain active research programs in the following areas:
- Neural circuits that regulate gastrointestinal motility
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying visceral and somatic pain
- Structure and function of neurotransmitter receptors and their signaling pathways
- Preclinical models of psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia and depression
Partners and Collaborators
Faculty
John R. Grider, Ph.D.
Professor and Interim Chair
John R. Grider, Ph.D.
Professor and Interim Chair
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research interests: Enteric nervous system and control mechanisms of gastrointestinal motility
Email: john.grider@vcuhealth.org
Javier González-Maeso, Ph.D.
Professor
Javier González-Maeso, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research interests: Structure, function and regulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), their interacting proteins and psychiatric disease associations such as schizophrenia, depression and opioid use disorder
Email: javier.maeso@vcuhealth.org
Liya Qiao, Ph.D., M.S.
Professor
Liya Qiao, Ph.D., M.S.
Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research interests: Molecular mechanisms of visceral pain and multi-organs cross sensitization using modern genetic and imaging techniques in preclinical models and human tissues
Email: liya.qiao@vcuhealth.org
I. Scott Ramsey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
I. Scott Ramsey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research interests: Structural bases of ion channel gating and permeation; automated high-throughput electrophysiology; targeting ion channels for novel therapeutic approaches to treat neuroinflammation, deafness and inflammatory airway disease
Email: ian.ramsey@vcuhealth.org
Gea-Ny Tseng, Ph.D.
Professor
Gea-Ny Tseng, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research interests: Pathways of protein trafficking in adult cardiac myocytes and the linkage between dysregulation of protein trafficking and disease progression in the heart
Email: gea-ny.tseng@vcuhealth.org