Carla J. Shatz

Carla shatz

Carla J. Shatz is an American neuroscientist renowned for her pioneering research in the field of neurobiology. She is particularly known for her work on the development of the visual system and the role of neural activity in shaping the brain during early life.

Early Life and Education

Carla Shatz was born in Massachusetts. She earned her B.A. in Chemistry from Radcliffe College in 1969. She then pursued her Ph.D. in neurobiology at Harvard University, where she worked under the mentorship of David Hubel and Torsten Wiesel, both of whom were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Career

After completing her Ph.D., Shatz conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University and the University College London. She later joined the faculty at Stanford University, where she became a full professor. In 2000, she moved to Harvard Medical School to become the first woman to chair the Department of Neurobiology. In 2007, she returned to Stanford as the Director of Bio-X, an interdisciplinary biosciences institute.

Research Contributions

Carla Shatz's research has significantly advanced the understanding of how neural circuits are formed and refined during development. Her work has demonstrated that neural activity is crucial for the proper development of the visual cortex and other brain regions. She has shown that synaptic plasticity and neural activity play essential roles in the formation of precise neural connections.

One of her notable discoveries is the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in the brain, which were previously thought to be involved only in the immune system. Shatz's research revealed that these molecules are also critical for synaptic plasticity and neural development.

Awards and Honors

Carla Shatz has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to neuroscience, including:

• The Society for Neuroscience's Ralph W. Gerard Prize
• The Gruber Prize in Neuroscience
• Election to the National Academy of Sciences
• Election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• The Kavli Prize in Neuroscience

Personal Life

Carla Shatz is married to David Tank, a fellow neuroscientist. They have two children.

See Also

• Neuroplasticity
• Visual system
• Synaptic pruning
• Neural development

External Links

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