Epigenetic, Genomic, Molecular Biology, Undergraduate Reseach, Vision Research
Enke researches development and diseases of retinal neurons, epigenetic regulation, genomics and bioinformatics, molecular biology and neuroscience.
Enke is interested in the molecular processes that neuronal precursors undergo during development into mature retinal neurons, such as rod and cone photoreceptors. He also researches blinding diseases that afflict the retina, such as age-related macular degeneration. In 2018, Enke received $463,915 from the National Institutes of Health to investigate early clinical detectors of age-related macular degeneration and potential medical interventions if early detectors are discovered.
Enke earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Salisbury University and his doctorate in biochemistry and molecular biology from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
Cerebral Cortex, Developmental Neurobiology, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Synaptic Plasticity, Undergraduate Reseach
Dr. George Vidal is a developmental neurobiologist studying how brain circuits wire up in the cerebral cortex. Dysfunctional development of the cerebral cortex is associated with many brain disorders, including autism. Dr. Vidal's overall research goal is to understand how “nature” (genetics) and “nurture” (neural activity) work to help the cerebral cortex develop normally. Together with his JMU undergraduate mentees, Dr. Vidal's lab uses cutting-edge neuroscience techniques to understand the roles of autism genetic risk factors as cerebral cortical circuits wire up.
Dr. Vidal earned a bachelor's degree in neurobiology from Harvard University and a doctorate in neurosciences from Stanford University.