Dr. Mark Jareb is an Associate Professor of Biology and the Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Strategic Planning for the College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Jareb's research examines fundamental questions regarding the cell biology and development of neurons. His lab uses primary cultures of embryonic chick forebrain neurons as a model system to study the development and maintenance of neuronal polarity. Neurons are polarized in that they have morphologically distinct processes called axons and dendrites which have specific functions. Typically, the cell body and dendrites function to receive information while the axon transmits information. A central mechanism underlying this functional polarity is the sorting and trafficking of membrane proteins to either the axon or dendrities. His work focuses on how proteins that make the axon functionally unique are trafficked to the correct location.