The Rumbaugh laboratory is devoted to the understanding of how synapse and circuit mechanisms contribute to cognition and behavioral adaptions. In particular, we are interested in how major neurodevelopmental risk genes (i.e. genes that when mutated cause a defined neurodevelopmental disorder) disrupt synapse function and circuit connectivity. Our approach is to applying cutting edge technology to the study of synapse and circuit function both in vitro and in vivo to determine how major risk genes disrupt behavior and adaptive functions associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Primary Research Areas

  • Neurodevelopmental disorder risk genes
  • Synapse function and neural circuit connectivity
  • Receptors and cell signaling
  • Learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity

Honors and Awards

  • Current fiscal year NIH awards
  • Past NIH awards
  • Kavli Fellow, 2015-2019
  • Faculty of 1000 Selection (Griggs et. al.), 2013
  • Faculty of 1000 Selection (Clement et. al.), 2012
  • Faculty of 1000 Selection (Kilgore et. al.), 2010
  • Faculty of 1000 Selection (Miller et. al.), 2010
  • American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) Faculty Research Fellow, 2009-2011
  • NARSAD Young Investigator Award, 2009-2010
  • Faculty of 1000 Selection (Heine et. al.), 2008
  • Alabama Health Services Foundation Scholar, 2007
  • Faculty of 1000 Selection (Shepherd, Rumbaugh et. al.), 2006
  • Faculty of 1000 Selection (Lee et. al.), 2003
  • National Research Scholar Award (NRSA: F32 NS043071-03; NINDS), 2002-2005

Curriculum Vitae

Gavin’s full CV

Education

  • 2000-2006 Postdoctoral Fellowship - Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Neuroscience/Synaptic Physiology (Advisor: Richard Huganir)
  • 1996-2000 Ph.D - Georgetown University School of Medicine Biophysics/Neuroscience
  • 1992-1996 BS (Cum Laude) - Westminster College Biology

Academic positions

  • 2019- Professor - Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
  • 2014-2019 Tenured Associate Professor - Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
  • 2012-2014 Associate Professor - Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
  • 2010-2012 Assistant Professor - Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
  • 2006-2009 Adjunct Assistant Professor - Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Other positions

  • 2019- Paid Consultant, Stoke Therapeutics, Bedford, MA