Research Overview

I began working in the Macklis lab in the fall of 2005 as a Program in Neuroscience graduate student. I am concentrating on the molecular-genetic controls that orchestrate the generation of neuronal diversity in the neocortex. In particular, I am focusing on signals critical for the specification and development of corticospinal motor neurons (CSMN). In a first project, I am characterizing the functions and interactions of two genes that parcellate telencephalic progenitors and direct the development of post-mitotic neurons of the neocortex in a complementary and reciprocal fashion. In a second project, I am characterizing candidate genes that play a critical role in the specification and differentiation of CSMN. To this end, with Sara Shnider, I am developing a virus-based RNAi approach to modify the expression of candidate genes that may be critical in CSMN development, in turn elucidating genetic cascades and combinatorial programs that generate the neuronal diversity of the cortex. Over the course of my graduate work, I hope to translate these results into an initial step toward regeneration and repair in the adult brain.

I completed my undergraduate work at Stanford University, earning a B.S. in Biological Sciences with Honors and a B.A. in Philosophy of Science in 2003. At Stanford I received a Howard Hughes Research Fellowship as well as the Firestone Medal for Excellence in Research for my work in fMRI at the Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research. After completing my undergraduate education, I worked as a research assistant in the Center for Evolutionary Studies at Stanford University.

Key Recent Publications

• Azim, E., Jabaudon, D., Fame, R., Macklis, J.D. 2009. "SOX6 controls dorsal progenitor identity and cortical interneuron diversity during neocortical development." Nat. Neurosci. 12:1238-1247. Published online 5 August 2009.
• Azim, E.*, Shnider, S.J.*, Cederquist, G.Y., Sohur, U.S., Macklis, J.D. 2009. "Lmo4 and Clim1 progressively delineate cortical projection neuron subtypes during development." Cereb. Cortex. 19:62-9. (*equally contributing first authors).
• Lai, T.*, Jabaudon, D.*, Molyneaux, B.J.‡, Azim, E.‡, Arlotta, P., Menezes, J.R.L., Macklis, J.D. 2008. "SOX5 Controls the Sequential Generation of Distinct Corticofugal Neuron Subtypes." Neuron 57: 232-247. (*equally contributing first authors, ‡equally contributing second authors). pdf

Previous Publications

• Azim, E., Mobbs, D., Jo, B., Menon, V., & Reiss, A. L. 2005. “Sex differences in brain activation elicited by humor.” PNAS 102(45), 16496-16501.
• Mobbs, D., Hagan, C., Azim, E., Menon, V., & Reiss, A. L. 2005. “Personality predicts activity in reward and emotional regions associated with humor.” PNAS 102(45), 16502-16506.
• Mobbs, D., Greicius, M. D., Abdel-Azim, E., Menon, V. & Reiss, A. L. 2003. “Humor modulates the mesolimbic reward centers.” Neuron 40, 1041-1048.