Congratulations to Dr. JP Yu, who has been named one of the 2017 KL2 Scholars through the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR). The KL2 Scholars Program is a four-year career development program for training and supporting junior faculty from diverse backgrounds and disciplines who are actively engaged in translational research and provides junior faculty the opportunity to develop an independent research program. Dr. Yu is one of four scholars selected this year from across the UW–Madison campus and will participate in career development workshops, train in core translational research competencies, and benefit from protected research time and individualized mentorship.
The Integrative Neuroimaging Systems Laboratory directed by Dr. Yu is a systems neuroimaging laboratory focused on the neuroimaging of schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other closely related neuropsychiatric diseases. Utilizing unique genetic models of both schizophrenia and ASD, Dr. Yu’s lab explores the impact of genetic mutations on global measures of neural structure and connectivity. Further recognizing the role of the environment in shaping both neural structure and behavior, Dr. Yu’s lab also investigates how environmental factors such as the gut microbiome, aerobic exercise, and stress can further influence brain structure.
His mentors for the KL2 program are Elizabeth Meyerand, a professor in the Departments of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, and Dr. Vaishali Bakshi, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry.