Autism-Open Access
Open Access

Ciria C Hernandez

Biography

Ciria C. Hernandez, MD, PhD, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Vanderbilt University and Faculty Member of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Her research is focused on understanding the basic mechanisms of epilepsy and how mutations alter the structure and function of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A (GABAAR) receptor channels to cause epilepsy, and ultimately, to provide a mechanistic foundation for development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat or cure epilepsy. She has published more than 20 peer-reviewed papers in recognized scientific journals, presenting more than 50 peer-reviewed presentations at national and international scientific meetings, mentoring and training more than 10 students among undergraduate, pre-doctoral and research fellows, been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, has been invited speaker at universities and meetings around the country and around the world, has served on a variety of review boards and committees, and has participated in a number of academic programs. She has been doing fundamental research on mechanisms of ion channel biophysics, physiology and pathology for 15 years and has established a track record of making transformative breakthroughs for basic, translational, and clinical studies.

Research Interest

Basic mechanism of channelophaties (i.e. genetic epilepsies and autism),Structural mechanisms of ion channel regulation of gating,Ion channel neurophysiology, molecular biophysics and signal transduction,Gene mutations, modulation of miRNA activity, gene expression and gene regulation,Animal models of epilepsy and autism.