Richard Lewis Huganir

Dr. Richard L. Huganir is a Professor of Biological Chemistry and Professor and Director of the Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Huganir is known for his research elucidating the structure, regulation and function of ligand-gated ion channels. His pioneering studies on phosphorylation and synaptic targeting of nicotinic acetylcholine, GABAA, and glutamate receptors have demonstrated that the modulation of receptor function is a major mechanism in the regulation of synaptic transmission. Huganir’s lab has further showed that glutamate receptor-associated complexes are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, autism, mental retardation as well as in chronic pain and drug addiction. The lab’s findings suggest that regulation of receptor function may be a major mechanism for the regulation of synaptic plasticity in the nervous system in both health and disease, and may be an important determinant of animal behavior. Huganir has received numerous awards for his work, including the Society of Neuroscience Young Investigator Award, the NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Award, the Santiago Grisolia Award, the Julius Axelrod Award and the Goldman-Rakic Award. Complementing his American Academy of Arts and Sciences membership, Huganir is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.