Buck Faculty Jennifer Garrison Announced as an Allen Institute for Brain Science 2015 Next Generation Leader

The Buck Institute today announced that assistant professor Jennifer Garrison, PhD, has been selected as one of this year’s six Next Generation Leaders at the Allen Institute for Brain Science. The Next Generation Leaders are distinguished young researchers who will provide feedback in both formal and informal settings to young scientists at the Allen Institute. The program recognizes the outstanding and innovative contributions from emerging scientific leaders and fosters professional development by providing opportunities and informal training on how to serve as scientific advisors.

“We are very pleased to welcome this group of impressive young scientists as advisors to the Allen Institute,” says Christof Koch, President and Chief Scientific Officer of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. “Their caliber and fresh perspectives make them valuable additions to our team and we look forward to hearing their feedback as well as providing guidance as they build their own careers.”

Dr. Garrison, who came to the Buck Institute in 2013, is interested in understanding how neuropeptides control behavior at both the cell biological and neural circuit level. Neuropeptides comprise a large class of signaling molecules which are secreted from neurons and transmit messages within the brain and across the nervous system. Current projects in her lab are focused on understanding the mechanisms of neuropeptide signaling and the role of neuropeptides in aging as well as decoding neurotransmission.

Dr. Garrison was named an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow and received a Glenn Foundation Award for Research in Biological Mechanisms of Aging in 2014. Her work is funded by the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation.

“We congratulate Jennifer on this latest honor,” said Brian Kennedy, PhD, Buck Institute President and CEO. “She is an outstanding scientist who is making significant contributions early in her career. We applaud the Allen Institute for recognizing her potential and choosing her to be on their advisory council.”

Next Generation Leaders are selected each year through a competitive application process from a pool of international applicants. This second cohort of Next Generation Leaders includes members from institutions around the globe, each of whom will serve a three-year term on the council.