Student Profile: Tanner Clifford

Department: Neuroscience
Advisor: Dr.Li Cai
tc869@scarletmail.rutgers.edu

Education
BS, Behavioral Neuroscience, Rider University, 2019
MS, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Delaware State University, 2021
PhD student, Neuroscience, Rutgers University, 2021 - present

Research Interests
Neurogenesis, Organoids, NSPCs/iPSCs, Spinal Cord Injury, Chimeric Models, Single-Cell Transcriptomics.

Research Summary
For my research, we are targeting endogenous cell populations in the mammalian spinal cord to generate better-translating gene therapy treatments. Through activation of the Gsx1 gene, a gene known for inducing differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells into neurons and deciding between an excitatory or inhibitory fate, we plan to reprogram cells around the glial scar and generate functional recovery. To accomplish this, our group primarily utilizes clinically-relevant animal injury models of specifically generated mouse models to allow for targeted activation of Gsx1 around the time of injury to simulate a clinical setting. In vitro validation of genetic manipulations on target cell populations will also be performed through the development of transduced cell cultures, and organoids. Finally, we will utilize scRNA sequencing to determine how a Gsx1-based gene therapy functions for spinal cord injury.

Awards & Honors
School of Graduate Studies Dean's Fellowship, Rutgers University, 2021
Research Training Inititive for Student Advancement Award, Delaware State University, 2019-2020
Dean's List, Rider University, 2018
 
Representative Graduate Courses Taken
Molecular Regulation of Neurogenesis
Neurobiology
Neural Injury & Repair
Interdisciplinary Biostats
 
Leadership and Outreach
Neuroconnections Co-Director, Rutgers University, 2022-2023
Summer Mentor for Underprivileged Students Interested in Research, Delaware State University, 2020-2021
Supplemental Instructor, Rider University, 2018