Jamie Zhan, MA

Research Focus

My previous research has focused on understanding the role of immune proteins in neurons. While the members of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) protein family are more famously known for their ability to present antigens to T-cells, the MHCI family also have functions in neurons ranging from modulating neuronal transmission, synaptic plasticity, and development. I am interested in understanding the consequences of changing MHCI levels, which occur normally during development of the healthy brain, on neuronal complexity.

Teaching Goals

I am excited to oversee student learning experiences from first learning to pipette all the way to troubleshooting, critical analysis and experimental design.
Outside of the classroom, I develop free audio content to help anyone at any education level develop scientific reasoning skills. I also occasionally provide scientific consultant support for “edutainment” media. I am interested in the ways that non-scientists engage with scientific content in all sorts of contexts.