Lab Members

Lauren J. Kreeger, PhD

I am an auditory electrophysiologist and anatomist interested in how neurons in the auditory brainstem are specialized to encode specific parts of our auditory world. During my first research experience at The University of Maryland, I quickly became fascinated by how neurons combine unique dendritic arborizations with distinct biophysical properties to make a computation about the environment. The auditory system captivated my scientific curiosity, and I stayed in the field during my graduate work at The University of Texas at Austin and during my postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. My work has traversed the auditory system from the cochlea to the thalamus in many model organisms.

Our group here at the University of Pennsylvania will study the development of octopus cells of the mammalian cochlear nucleus by combining in vitro electrophysiological recordings with anatomical reconstructions and genetic manipulations in mouse models. Together, we aim to understand how temporally extreme neurons like octopus cells transform fundamental synaptic properties to fit their computational needs.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time hiking, painting, and trying new food with friends and family.