Michelle L. Olsen
- PhD, Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Blacksburg, VA 24061
The focus of the Olsen lab is to better understand the role of astrocytes in normal and abnormal central nervous system function. Astrocytes are one of the most abundant cell types in the mammalian brain and spinal cord, yet, until recently, this cell type has been thought of as a support cell to neurons and they have been given relatively little attention. Emerging work suggests astrocytes contribute to all facets of normal brain function, while disrupted astrocyte function is implicated in epilepsy, neurodegenerative disease, depression, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Ongoing projects in the Olsen lab are aimed at understanding how astrocytes contribute to development and maturation of the central nervous system.
Dr. Olsen received her undergraduate training in Biochemistry from the University of Southern Oregon in 1999. Her interest in astrocytes was developed early in her PhD training in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Astrocyte biology was also the focus of her post-doctoral training and her research focus as she launched her own independent career in the Department of Physiology at UAB in late 2010.
Research in the Olsen lab is focused on understanding the role of astrocytes in normal and abnormal central nervous system function. There are more astrocytes in the brain and spinal cord in humans than any other cell type, yet, until recently this cell type has been thought of as a support cell to neurons and they have been given relatively little attention. Emerging work suggests astrocytes contribute to all facets of normal brain function, while disrupted astrocyte function is implicated in epilepsy, neurodegenerative disease, depression, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Ongoing projects in the Olsen lab are aimed at understanding how astrocytes contribute to development and maturation of the central nervous system.
Training: My goal for each trainee is to empower them with critical reasoning and listening skills, teaching them to communicate effectively and to be open minded, giving them the greatest opportunity for success in whichever scientific field they chose. Since starting my research program in 2010, I have graduated two PHD and one accelerated MS student. I currently have four PhD seeking students and one post-doctoral fellow in the lab. I believe that undergraduate students play an important role in the research endeavor and have trained many undergraduate students-several of which have contributed to published work and all of which have matriculated into their desired programs.
Teaching: I was inspired to become a scientist by a few extraordinary professors. I consider this to be an important aspect of my position and assume this part of my job with great enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility. I am privileged to be a part of an academic environment which emphasizes the training of future leaders.
For more details visit Olsen Research Lab
For a full list of Dr. Olsen's publications, visit PubMed.