RNA Biology, Molecular Neuroscience, Drosophila, Brain Organoids
RNA Biology, Molecular Neuroscience, Drosophila, Brain Organoids
The primary research goal of the Morton lab is to study the fundamental mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression with an emphasis on RNA processing factors mutated in complex brain disorders.
Assistant Professor
Molecular and Computational Biology
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Southern California
Dr. Morton received his PhD from Clark Atlanta University and completed his postdoctoral training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia
My research program focuses on how defects in a conserved and ubiquitous RNA-regulatory complex, the RNA exosome, contribute to neurological disease. To gain a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of these challenging biological questions, we emphasize taking a multidisciplinary approach.
We employ molecular and transcriptomic approaches in Drosophila and human stem cell-derived neuronal cultures to understand the different aspects of post-transcriptional regulation of RNA in the nervous system.
Sebastian Romero
Undergraduate student
TRAINS Program
I am an undergraduate student majoring in biology. After finishing my undergraduate program, I’m excited about the possibility of pursuing a dual degree program to earn both an MD and a PhD. In the lab, I’m focusing on studying the consequences of RNA exosome mutations linked to a neurological disorder termed Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 1b on the pluripotency of stem cells.
Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy surfing and exploring the National Park system.
Mayra Rodriguez
Undergraduate student
TRAINS Program
I am currently studying biology/life sciences and psychology at East Los Angeles College and am working in the Morton lab as a USC through the TRansitions Across INterfaceS (TRAINS) program. My current project investigates the impact of neuro-specific RhoGEF gene depletion on proper fly brain morphogenesis and function. Outside the lab, I enjoy home DIY projects and cooking for my family.
Marisol Castellanos
PhD Candidate
I graduated with a B.S. in Electrical and Computing Engineering with a minor in Biology from Loyola Marymount University. I worked for three yeas as a Systems and Software Engineer in the Aerospace and Defense industry before returning to complete an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC). My research focused on studying neurological diseases and behavior in mice. As a graduate student, I was also a Medical Device Engineer for the Alfred Mann Institute at USC’s Biomedical Engineering department, helping to commercialize USC research.
I’m currently a National GEM Consortium Fellow and Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. student at USC. On my spare time, I love to photograph landscapes, hike the Santa Monica Mountains, cook, travel, and play sports.
Nick Bitar
Research Technician
Research Lab Technician
I graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Biochemistry. I completed my M.Sc. in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, with an emphasis in Stem Cell Technology and Laboratory Management, from California State University Channel Islands.
I conducted my master’s research in the Quadrato lab at USC Keck, assisting in developing a hiPSC-derived cerebellar organoid protocol used to model neurodevelopment and disease in the human cerebellum.
I like to bake, craft, read comics, and spend time outdoors hiking or camping in my free time.
Research: establishing and characterizing cerebellar organoid generation in the Morton lab.
Assistant Professor
I graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Biochemistry. I completed my M.Sc. in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, with an emphasis in Stem Cell Technology and Laboratory Management, from California State University Channel Islands.
I conducted my master’s research in the Quadrato lab at USC Keck, assisting in developing a hiPSC-derived cerebellar organoid protocol used to model neurodevelopment and disease in the human cerebellum.
I like to bake, craft, read comics, and spend time outdoors hiking or camping in my free time.
Research: establishing and characterizing cerebellar organoid generation in the Morton lab.
Xingjun Wang, PhD
Researcher
Dr. Wang is a molecular neuroscientist with expertise in Drosophila genetics. During his PhD work at Tongji University in Shanghai, China, he studied the role of the amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer’s Disease. During his postdoctoral fellowship at the Scripps Institute and Stanford Medicine, he studied the role of the mitochondria, ribosome quality control, and the COVID-19 virus in neurodegenerative disease, and brain tumors. Dr. Wang recently joined the Morton lab and is focused on studying the role of the RNA-regulatory RNA exosome in neurodevelopment and disease.
Dr. Burford is an experienced research scientist with an area of expertise in imaging and functional physiological imaging, coupled with mammalian cell culture work.
PhD Student
As an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, I majored in Molecular and Cellular Biology with an emphasis in Neurobiology, and I joined the lab of Dr. Lawrence Fung at Stanford School of Medicine to study neurosteroid metabolomics in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Upon graduating from Berkeley, I accepted a position at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in the lab of Dr. Elphege Nora, where my project focused on the interplay between cohesin-mediated loop extrusion and transcription. In my spare time, I like to do yoga, read, cook, and sleep.
Research: My current project focuses on the RNA exosome’s role in maintaining chromatin-associated RNA homeostasis during neuronal development.
PhD Candidate
I graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology with a minor in Bioethics at the University of California, San Diego.
I am using a Drosophila model of RNA exosome-linked neurodevelopmental disorders to examine how defects in key post-transcriptional processes disrupt the proper development of cells in the nervous system.
In my spare time, I enjoy running marathons, baking, and watching anime.
PhD Candidate
I graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience. I returned to my undergraduate university for a M.Sc. in Cellular and Molecular Biology.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time in nature, watching sports, and knitting.
My research focuses on understanding the role of the RNA exosome in cerebellar development through modeling PCH1b in cerebellar organoids.
Undergraduate Student
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Human Biology and minoring in both Health Care Studies and Cinematic Arts.
I am interested in researching the RNA exosome using a cerebellar organoid model.
In my spare time, I love to hike, go to the beach, and cafe hop with friends.
Undergraduate Student
I am an undergraduate student studying Biological Sciences and Environmental Health.
My primary research interests involve using the Drosophila model to study neurological disease and RNA processing.
In my free time, I love to paint, read, and bike.
Undergraduate Student
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Human Biology and minoring in Performance Science.
I am currently part of the group studying mutations in the RNA exosome and modeling them through cerebellar organoids.
In my free time, I play sports, adventure, and try new restaurants
