Harris Lab

The Laboratory of Synapse Structure and Function investigates the structural basis of learning and memory, synapse development, and the ultrastructure of synaptic plasticity using in vivo and in vitro preparations, hippocampal slice physiology, serial section transmission electron microscopy, and 3D reconstruction.

P.I.: Kristen M. Harris, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Neuroscience
Center for Learning and Memory
Institute for Neuroscience
The University of Texas at Austin
kharris@utexas.edu

Kristen has served on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School, Boston University, and the Medical College of Georgia. She has been a Professor at UT Austin since 2006. More info and CV.

John Mendenhall, MA
Research Scientist
jmenden@mail.utexas.edu

John joined Kristen Harris's new lab at UT in 2006. His main responsibilities in the lab are tissue preparations, multi-dimensional imaging, visualization, and analysis.

Masaaki (Masa) Kuwajima, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
masa@mail.clm.utexas.edu

Masa uses electron microscopy methods to investigate how nanoscale structures of brain cells underlie their functions like learning and how they change during aging. He also serves as a mentor to many students in the lab (and beyond) and is a professional photographer. More info

Lyndsey Kirk, Ph.D.
Research Associate
lyndskirk@utexas.edu

Lyndsey is primarily interested in how synapses change with cognitive decline in aging. She uses a combination of animal behavior, genetics, physiology, and 3DEM to study the ultrastructural changes of synapses, astroglia, and subcellular organelles that occur and may contribute to loss of cognitive ability.

Olga Ostrovskaya, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
islandsky@utexas.edu

Olga's specialty is in electrophysiology. Her current focus is the dynamics of neuronal ultrastructure in the context of learning and memory across different developmental stages.

Andrea Nam

Graduate Student

Myles Joyce

Graduate Student

Patrick Parker
Research Assistant / Course Specialist
patrickparker@utexas.edu

Patrick assists in the 3D reconstruction of dendrites, with a focus on quantifying synapses and creating lab protocols to teach best uses of Reconstruct. He acts as the SynapseWeb administrator and Course Specialist for Prof. Harris's class.

Dusten Hubbard
Research Assistant
dusten@utexas.edu

Dusten aids in the 3D reconstruction and quantification of dendrites, axons, and other neuropil objects. His focuses are data collection, analysis, and developmental testing of new computational tools used in the lab.

Weiling Yin, Ph.D.

Research Engineering/Scientist Professional