KathrynAnn Odamah, a fifth-year PhD student in the Man Lab, received the 2025 Charles Terner Award. Her lab studies the synaptic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer’s disease. Kathryn’s project is focused on investigating the use of genetic restoration strategies to rescue neuronal impairments and behavioral deficits in a Nexmif-dependent mouse model of ASD. Specifically, she has been using the CRISPRa system to induce reactivation of the silenced Nexmif allele in Heterozygous female mice, and postnatal lentiviral restoration of Nexmif in Knockout male mice.
This award provides support for a CM or MCBB PhD candidate who has made significant contributions to their field. Charles Terner was a Professor of Biology at Boston University for over 20 years before he retired in 1985. Dr. Terner specialized in biochemistry and focused his research on the metabolic properties of male reproductive cells. The award was established in his memory after he passed away in 1998.
Congratulations KathrynAnn!