Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology
Office:  275 Watson
Lab:  157 Watson
Phone:  704-894-2603
Fax:  704-894-2512
Email:  jeround@davidson.edu

Courses Taught
Biology 111 - Molecules, Genes, & Cells
Biology 264 - Stems Cells:  Science & Society
Biology 333 - Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience

Education
2001 - B.S. in Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
2009 - Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT
2009-2011 - HHMI Postdoctoral Research & Teaching Fellow, Davidson College, Davidson, NC

Research
I study the cell signaling events that shape neuron morphology and connectivity during embryonic brain development. In particular, I study the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern axon pathfinding and dendrite branching. My lab is currently using the zebrafish as a model organism to study a novel family of genes thought to be involved in neuronal wiring. We employ techniques such as in situ hybridization and RT-PCR to examine the expression patterns of these genes during zebrafish development. We also perform loss-of-function studies to determine if these genes are required for the proper wiring of the zebrafish nervous system. Future projects will examine the intracellular signaling pathways utilized by these genes. Our research not only provides insight into the mechanisms that govern the complex process of neural circuit formation, but may also inform our understanding of human developmental disorders such as dyslexia and Tourette syndrome, which are thought to be caused, in part, by faulty brain wiring.

Publications
Round, JE, Sun H. The Nck adaptor mediates Slit1-induced changes in cortical neuron morphology.  Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience.  2011; 47: 265-273

Round JE. "The Role of Slit/Robo Signaling in Neuronal Morphogenesis."  (Doctoral Dissertation, Yale University, May 2009).

Round JE and Stein E. "Netrin signaling leading to directed growth cone steering."  Current Opinion in Neurobiology.  2007 Feb; 17 (1):15-21.

Julich D, Lim CH, Round JE, Nicolaije C, Schroeder J, Davies A, Tubingen 2000 Screen Consortium, Geisler R, Lewis J, Jian Y, Holley SA.  "beatmer/deltaC and the role of Notch ligands in the zebrafish somite segmentation, hindbrain neurogenesis and hypocord differentiation."  Developmental Biology.  2005; 286:391-404.