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J. Elliott Robinson, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Rasopathy Program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
J. Elliott Robinson, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Rasopathy Program within the Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.123 He is a neurobiologist whose research focuses on understanding and treating cognitive symptoms associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other Rasopathies.1
Education and Training
Dr. Robinson received his bachelor's degree from Georgetown University in 2007. He then completed his MD and PhD through the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016.1 Following his doctoral studies, he conducted postdoctoral research in Dr. Viviana Gradinaru's laboratory at the California Institute of Technology from 2016 to 2020.1
Research Focus
Dr. Robinson's lab investigates the structure and function of neural circuits involved in reward, motivation, and attention in mouse models of NF1. They employ advanced neuroscience technologies, including:
- Genetically encoded calcium and neurotransmitter sensors
- Optogenetics
- Patch clamp electrophysiology
- Viral vector-based circuit mapping techniques1
Additionally, Dr. Robinson is working on developing systemic adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies to restore normal brain function in NF1 and other Rasopathies.1
Achievements and Honors
Dr. Robinson has received several notable awards and recognitions:
- Simons Foundation Bridge to Independence Awardee (2019)
- Children's Tumor Foundation's Young Investigator Award (2016)
- Member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society (2016)1
His research has been published in prestigious journals such as Cell Reports, The Journal of Neuroscience, and Nature Methods.1
Dr. Robinson's work aims to improve children's lives through translational neuroscience, with a particular focus on understanding and treating cognitive symptoms associated with NF1 and related disorders.1
Highlights
On this 13th day of August in the year 2024, I have zero emails in my personal and work email inboxes. I will cherish this hard earned but likely short-lived milestone for years to come. 🙏
Happy to be back in Detroit for the Gilbert Family Foundation Vision Restoration and Brain Tumor Initiative meetings. The amount of great science is astounding. I’ve learned a ton about the pathophysiology and treatment of optic pathway glioma in NF1 during the last two days. I’ve had some great pizza too!🍕
