Karen Litwa

About

Experience

• Associate Professor at The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
  Jul 2023 - Present · 3 yrs

• Associate Faculty Member at Faculty of 1000 Ltd
  Jun 2011 - Present · 15 yrs 1 mo

• Assistant Professor at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine
  Jul 2016 - Jul 2023 · 7 yrs 1 mo

  I am excited to announce that I am joining the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine of East Carolina University as an Assistant Professor. My lab will continue to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of brain development and Autism.

• Fellow at Hartwell Foundation
  Jul 2014 - Jul 2016 · 2 yrs 1 mo

  Project Title: "Advancing Children's Health by Identifying Common Therapeutic Targets in Autism Spectrum Disorders" As a Hartwell Fellow, I am using IPSC-derived neurons to study synaptic deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorders. I aim to identify common molecular mechanisms that underlie these synaptic deficits in Autism, and which could serve as therapeutic targets.

• Post-Doctoral Research Associate at UVA Health System
  Aug 2009 - Jul 2016 · 7 yrs

  My research focuses on the molecular mechanisms that shape normal synapse development and how these mechanisms are altered in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism. I am using stem cell technologies to derive neurons from Autism patient fibroblasts. This new technology provides a window into the brain of Autism patients, allowing us to address how common synaptic pathways are altered during their brain development.