Background
Dr. Jay Barbaran is a professor of neuroscience and psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of neuronal plasticity induced by environmental stimuli, including drugs.
Dr. Barbaran’s research focuses on the neuronal signaling pathways that mediate neuronal morphology and synaptic efficacy. Dr. Baraban and his colleagues have identified a protein that changes the strength of a message sent from one nerve to another and which may play a role in addictive behaviors. They are studying how this protein works, with hopes of developing drugs that interact with the protein to block or reverse drug-induced changes in the brain. Additionally, his research focuses on the role of microRNA pathways in synaptic signaling and plasticity.
Dr. Barbaran received his undergraduate degree from Yale University. He earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from Yale Medical School. He completed his residency at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and a fellowship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
His work has been recognized with two teaching awards from the Institute for Excellence in Education (IEE) at Johns Hopkins.