Jon Pierce-Shimomura
- Assistant Professor of Neurobiology
- Waggoner Professorship in Molecular Biology
- College of Natural Sciences
Biographical Sketch
During my graduate career at the University of Oregon, Eugene, I studied the mechanisms for chemotaxis and taste discrimination in the nematode C. elegans with Dr. Shawn Lockery. I then switched to a more medically relevant topic — studying the molecular basis for intoxication by alcohol at University of California at San Francisco medical school. During this time, my elder son was born with Down syndrome. Back then, I was discouraged to find that very little research was being conducted on Down syndrome. My son inspired me to study the genetic basis for Down syndrome in my own lab at The University of Texas at Austin in 2008. Here, a vibrant collection of researchers are dedicated to discovering the causes and potential cures for genetic disorders through innovative research.