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Madel Durens, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Laboratory of Human Stem Cell Neurophysiology
Program in Neuroscience
801 W. Baltimore Street
Suite 301
Baltimore, MD 21201
mdurens@hussmanautism.org

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  • Education & Experience
  • Research Interests
  • Publications

Education & Experience

2018              Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism

2017              Ph.D. Neuroscience, Rutgers University

2005-2008     University Research Associate, University of the Philippines

2004              BScMolecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines

Research Interests

I am interested in exploring convergent cellular phenotypes in autism-derived iPSCs and the contribution of heterogeneous genetic factors to the autistic phenotype. We are working on optimizing 3D cell culture models and applying high-throughput methods to investigate electrophysiological and morphological properties to better understand the etiology of autism, with the long term-goal of discovery of viable drug targets.

Publications

Genestine M, Lin L, Durens M, Yan Y, Jiang Y, Prem S, Bailoor K, Kelly B, Sonsalla PK, Matteson PG, Silverman J, Crawley JN, Millonig JH, DiCicco-Bloom E. (2015). Engrailed-2 (En2) deletion produces multiple neurodevelopmental defects in monoamine systems, forebrain structures and neurogenesis and behavior. Hum Mol Genet. 15;24(20):5805-27. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddv301. Epub 2015 Jul 28.

  • “The soul must be loved as it is.”

    Jamie Burke
  • “Autism awareness can’t stop with a list of what makes people with autism different from us. Because what is essential is the constant awareness of what makes us the same.”

    John P. Hussman, Ph.D., Director
  • “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

    The Little Prince

    Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • “We agree with the view that presuming competence is the least dangerous assumption.”

    John P. Hussman, Ph.D., Director
  • “Autism is not disability.”

    Jamie Burke
  • “We are just like you, with the same desires, and just need help to be typical members of society.”

    Sue Rubin
  • “In the end, the best argument for inclusion is the simplest. It’s the one we know by heart – that all of us are created equal.”

    John P. Hussman, Ph.D., Director
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Recent Activity:
  • Supporting Students with Special Needs: Online Training Modules for School-Based Professionals who Support Students with Disabilities
    April 16, 2019
  • Parental optimism, school inclusion may affect long-term progress of individuals with autism
    April 12, 2016
  • Young adults with autism increase empathic communication with training
    March 24, 2016
  • Seeing things differently: Altered GABA signaling at play in autistic visual perception
    March 10, 2016

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Administration & Program on Autism Supports
Hussman Institute for Autism
6021 University Blvd, Ste 490
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone 443-860-2580 | Email info@hussmanautism.org

Program on Neuroscience
Hussman Institute for Autism
801 W. Baltimore Street, Third Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone 443-860-2580 | Email info@hussmanautism.org

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