Dorothy P. Schafer facts for kids
Dr. Dori Schafer is a scientist who teaches at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She studies tiny brain cells called microglia. Her research looks at how these cells help build and keep our brain connections strong. These connections are called synapses. She also studies how microglia affect brain health and diseases.
Contents
Becoming a Brain Scientist
Dori Schafer loved learning about the brain. She earned her first degree in Neuroscience in 2001 from Mount Holyoke College. Later, she got her PhD in 2008 from the University of Connecticut. After that, she worked as a special researcher at Boston Children's Hospital. In 2015, she became a professor at UMass Medical School.
How Brain Cells Work
Dr. Schafer's main research focuses on microglia. Microglia are like the clean-up crew of the brain. They help keep the brain healthy.
Microglia and Brain Connections
Microglia have a special job called "phagocytosis." This means they can "eat" or remove things. Dr. Schafer found that microglia help "prune" or trim brain connections. This process is called synaptic pruning. It's like trimming a bush to help it grow better. This trimming is important for healthy brain development. It helps make sure the right connections are strong.
Microglia also send signals that affect how brain connections work. These signals can change how brain cells talk to each other. Dr. Schafer and another scientist, Beth Stevens, even suggested a new idea. They think that microglia are a key part of how brain cells connect. They call this the quad-partite synapse.
Microglia and Brain Diseases
Microglia are also important in many brain diseases. These include conditions like autism, schizophrenia, ALS, and MS. Dr. Schafer's work has shown that microglia can sometimes cause problems. For example, in a mouse model of Rett syndrome, microglia removed too many brain connections. This caused issues with how the brain worked. She found that microglia often react too much when there is a disease. This might also happen in diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Schafer has received several awards for her important research. These awards help fund her work.
- 2017-2019 Young Investigator Grant, NARSAD
- 2016-2018 Child Health Research Award, Charles H. Hood Foundation
- 2016-2017 Biomedical Research Award, Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research
- 2014-2018 K99/R00 Career Transition Award, NIMH
- 2012-2013 Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation
- 2010-2011 Bok Center distinction for excellence in teaching, Harvard University
- 2010-2012 NRSA F32 Postdoctoral Fellowship, NINDS
- 2010-2011 Marian Kies Award for outstanding graduate work, American Society for Neurochemistry
- 2007 Lepow Award for outstanding graduate work, University of Connecticut Health Center
