
The pink and blue are terminal processes from two neighboring astrocytes. A presynaptic bouton and the vesicles inside are white, and a postsynaptic spine is brown. Progress in Neurobiology 213 (2022) 102264.
Photo by: Min Zhou, PhD
The Department of Neuroscience encompasses a broad range of neuroscience research spanning cellular, organismal and behavioral approaches. By focusing on understanding the nervous system in health and disease, the department contributes to both a fundamental understanding of neuroscience and novel avenues for therapies.
Racial Equality and Inclusion Statement
In Ohio State University’s Department of Neuroscience, we’ve worked hard to build a creative and collaborative research culture, and also a culture that is welcoming to all regardless of their race, religion, gender identification or whom they love. However, the recent heart-wrenching death of yet another African American man at the hands of people who should be protecting lives, has brought the issue of race glaringly to the forefront for all of us. George Floyd’s death, sadly, is not an isolated incident and has served to shine a spotlight on the inherent racism running throughout our society. As scientists, reducing human suffering is in our DNA.
Faculty Positions in Neuroscience
The Department of Neuroscience is looking to hire two tenure-track faculty with research expertise focused in traumatic central nervous system injury (brain or spinal cord). These positions may be at the rank of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor.
The Department of Neuroscience is also looking to hire one tenure-track faculty member with research expertise focused on chemosensory receptor biology and/or the mechanisms of taste, olfaction, and/or somatosensory sensations relevant to feeding behaviors. This position may be at the rank of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor.
News Highlights

Jessica Mitch selected for 2022 Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program

Dravet Syndrome Foundation awards Jacy Wagnon funding for seizure study

DOD Awards Bin Gu Funding for Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Study

December 2021 Staff Spotlight, Zachary Zimomra

Bin Gu receives 2021 Grass Foundation Young Investigator Award

Tedeschi and Fisher featured in Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition
Recent Research Highlights

Affiliated Faculty, Dr. Taniguchi's study hints at how early life experiences may affect brain wiring

Jason Wester receives pilot award to investigate cortical microcircuit motifs in a mouse model of Arid1b haploinsufficiency

Ohio State researchers identify changes in gut microbiome after spinal cord injury

Tedeschi lab discusses the role of lipids in axon growth, regeneration and repair after CNS injury and disease

2021 DNS Research Day Recap

New R25 grant shapes the future of neuroscience research with high school students
Top-Tier Research Facilities and Opportunities
We’re a top-ranked center for fundamental, translational and clinical research conducted by faculty, fellows and students. Unique research opportunities include a Neuroscience Center Core Program — made possible by a grant from the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This supports core facilities and services in areas such as mouse and zebrafish genetics, nerve injury, rodent behavior, neurophysiology, muscle physiology, xenografting and small animal imaging.
Department resources include access to more than 25 state-of-the-art medical center research facilities and services. These involve proteomics, microarray, nucleic acid, comparative pathology and mouse phenotyping, analytical cytometry and biostatistics.
Support for clinical and translational research is provided by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Translational Science Award.

Welcome from the Chair
Welcome to The Ohio State University’s Department of Neuroscience. Our research leads us to novel discoveries that are shaping fundamental knowledge about how the nervous system develops and functions. We are dedicated to excellence — always and in all ways.
Phillip Popovich, PhD
Professor and Chair, Department of Neuroscience
Director of the Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair
Faculty Affiliate, Chronic Brain Injury

Ways to Give
Teaching, research and the development of our faculty are important to the mission of the Department of Neuroscience. We are also in pursuit to encourage diversity in the Neuroscience Graduate Program by offering a scholarship to students from recognized disadvantaged backgrounds or underrepresented groups.
Learn more