Center for Neuroscience Research

Main Center Contacts

Tarik Haydar

Director, Center for Neuroscience Research
thaydar@childrensnational.org 202-476-1733
William Davis Gaillard

Division Chief, Epilepsy, Neurophysiology, and Critical Care Neurology
wgaillar@childrensnational.org 202-476-2120
Nikkie Adesida

Senior Research Center Manager
nadesida@childrensnational.org 202-476-2389

About the Center

We Believe

The rapid advancement of knowledge, insights and approaches through research can only be achieved through the commitment, excellence and dedication of a diverse group of researchers from all backgrounds. As a result of centuries of institutional racism, sexism, discrimination, as well as underlying biases in the treatment of individuals from underrepresented groups in the sciences, scientific progress has been hindered. We know that integrating diverse viewpoints and scientific ideas and perspectives enrich our research community and enhances our ability to attract and retain the world’s best researchers and staff, as well as create a productive work environment where we can all thrive. We, therefore, commit to creating and fostering an inclusive work environment that will support training, career development, pay equality and equitable work space regardless of color, ethnicity, gender, religion, country of origin, disability or sexual orientation.

The Center for Neuroscience Research comprises an expanding group of highly productive lab-based developmental neuroscientists and clinical investigators who have established strong research programs and collaborations in the area of neurodevelopmental disorders. While these investigators have distinct expertise and research programs, their research as a whole is focused on childhood neurological disorders, from early stages of when the nervous system is first established, to postnatal stages that include the formation of neuronal connections and the wrapping of neuronal processes by the myelin insulation. The unique and exciting setting of the Center has supported and promoted a large number of research projects that span basic, translational and clinical research in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Our Mission
To understand the development of the central nervous system and the cellular, molecular, synaptic and network mechanisms of brain dysfunction to prevent or treat neurological, developmental and behavioral disorders of childhood.

Specification of Select Hypothalamic Circuits and Innate Behaviors by the Embryonic Patterning Gene, DbxI.

Center for Neuroscience researchers Katie Sokolowski, Joshua Corbin, et al. describe a recently published Neuron cover article about their groundbreaking results linking genetic embryonic patterning to the specification of hypothalamic circuitry and manifestation of stress-induced behaviors.