Matt Hinderhofer – UMass Fellow 2024-2025
Research Progress: I am a PhD student in the ChangHui Pak Lab, where I study the molecular mechanisms that differentiate neurodevelopmental disorders, focusing specifically on the role of alternative splicing in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Schizophrenia (SCZ). In my research, I utilize patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create 3D brain organoids, which model cortical and cerebellar regions of the developing brain. Over the past year, I have honed my skills in iPSC culturing and bioinformatics, using these tools to identify differential splicing patterns in iPSCs derived from ASD and SCZ patients compared to those from healthy donors. I am currently developing my thesis aims to better understand the distinct cell-type populations and alternative splicing patterns across various neurodevelopmental disorders, aiming to uncover insights into their molecular underpinnings.