Daniel Colón-Ramos

High-Risk High-Research NIH Pioneer Award 2018 Recipient Daniel Col%C3%B3n-Ramos

Daniel Colón-Ramos is a Puerto Rican neuroscientist and professor known for his research in the field of neurobiology. He is a faculty member at Yale University and has made significant contributions to the understanding of synapse formation and function.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Colón-Ramos was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where he earned a B.A. in biology. He then pursued his Ph.D. in neuroscience at Duke University, where he conducted research on the molecular mechanisms of synapse formation.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Colón-Ramos conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University in the laboratory of Lu Chen. His research focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern synaptic connectivity in the nervous system.

In 2008, Colón-Ramos joined the faculty at Yale University as an assistant professor in the Department of Cell Biology. He was later promoted to associate professor and then to full professor. At Yale, he leads a research laboratory that investigates the development and function of synapses using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.

Research

Colón-Ramos' research aims to understand how synapses are formed and maintained in the nervous system. His laboratory uses a combination of genetics, molecular biology, and imaging techniques to study the processes that regulate synaptic connectivity. One of his notable contributions is the identification of key molecules involved in synapse formation and the discovery of mechanisms that ensure the precise wiring of neural circuits.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Colón-Ramos has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to neuroscience. These include the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's New Innovator Award, the McKnight Scholar Award, and the Sloan Research Fellowship.

Advocacy and Outreach

In addition to his research, Colón-Ramos is actively involved in science advocacy and outreach. He is a co-founder of Ciencia Puerto Rico, a non-profit organization that promotes scientific research and education in Puerto Rico. He is also committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists and has been recognized for his efforts to increase diversity in the scientific community.

Personal Life

Colón-Ramos is married and has children. He is passionate about promoting science education and fostering a love for discovery in young people.

See Also

• Neuroscience
• Synapse
• Caenorhabditis elegans
• Yale University
• Ciencia Puerto Rico