B.S. James Madison University
Ph.D. Wake Forest University

Neurobiology and Anatomy

Department of Biology, MSC 7801
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
(540) 568-6333
(540) 568-3333 (fax)
gabrieml@jmu.edu

Curriculum Vitae

BIO 290 Human Anatomy
BIO 440/540 Functional Neuroscience for Occupational Therapists
BIO 414/514 Clinical Anatomy for Occupational Therapists
BIO 482/582 Human Histology
BIO 410 Advanced Human Anatomy
BIO 603 Scientific Presentations

Hearing is one of our most important senses and is ultimately the responsibility of the auditory system. Processing that occurs within the central auditory system enables us to unconsciously sort out meaningful sounds from background noise, to localize the source of sounds, and to determine whether a sound is noteworthy of our attention. These sophisticated auditory tasks that we perform routinely depend upon specialized neural circuits that compute subtle differences in the shape, timing, and intensity of stimuli as they independently arrive at each ear.

The circuitry underlying such complex auditory processing requires an elaborate organization. An ordered arrangement of inputs to an auditory center is essential since it not only preserves information that has been processed downstream, but it also provides the foundation for a neural network that is capable of integrating that information before it is relayed on to the next level of the system. The focus of the research in my laboratory is to understand the early development and organization of converging pathways in the ascending auditory system, as well as the developmental mechanisms that guide such circuit formation. To address these fundamental questions, my lab uses neuroanatomical techniques (namely fluorescent tract-tracing and immunohistochemistry) in the developing rat to simultaneously label separate pathways and neuronal populations (see images below). Understanding the development and organization of the auditory system is clinically important. To most effectively treat developmental hearing disorders, it is essential to understand the normal development of the system and the most appropriate time for intervention.

Back to Faculty Page       Back to Biology Home Page                             site maintained by Mark Gabriele