Jonathan Demb, PhD
Biography
Research & Publications
News
Appointments
Biography
Jonathan Demb is a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science with secondary appointments in the Department of Cellular & Molecular Physiology and the Department of Neuroscience. Dr. Demb obtained his doctoral degree from Stanford University and did postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. Demb was a faculty member at the University of Michigan before moving to Yale in 2011.
The Demb lab investigates the cellular and synaptic mechanisms that enable visual processing by the mammalian retina. Major accomplishments include identifying fundamental nonlinearities at retinal synapses that mediate specialized spatial processing by retinal ganglion cells; elucidating the role of disinhibition in visual contrast processing; characterizing asymmetries between the retina's ON and OFF pathways; determining roles of NMDA-type glutamate receptors in ganglion cell receptive fields; identifying characteristic properties of cone-mediated vision in the mouse retina; developing the use of a glutamate sensor (iGluSnFR) for study of retinal circuitry; identifying novel amacrine cell circuits using optogenetic technology; and testing experimental therapies in mouse models of retinal disease. Demb is a Reviewing Editor at the Journal of Neuroscience and is on the Editorial Board of PLoS Biology. He was awarded the Cogan Award in 2013 from the Associate for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) to recognize his contributions to the field of retinal neuroscience.
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral ResearcherUniversity of Pennsylvania (2003)
- PhDStanford University (1997)
- BABoston University (1993)
Honors & Recognition
Award | Awarding Organization | Date |
---|---|---|
Cogan Award | Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) | 2013 |
Orthwein Yale Scholar Award | Yale University | 2011 |
Fellow | Alfred P. Sloan Foundation | 2004 |
Career Development Award | Research to Prevent Blindness | 2004 |
Professional Service
Organization | Role | Date |
---|---|---|
Board of Scientific Counselors, National Eye Institute | Council Member | 2020 - Present |
PLoS Biology | Editorial Board | 2017 - Present |
Journal of Neuroscience | Reviewing Editor | 2016 - Present |
NIH | Study sections, ad hoc | 2010 - Present |
Journal of Neuroscience | Associate Editor | 2008 - 2013 |