The Pearson Lab

Neural Stem Cells – Development – Metabolism

Our Research

Our research focuses on neural stem cell biology. We aim to elucidate the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that regulate neural stem cell fate. By determining how these regulatory mechanisms shape brain development, we hope to understand the basis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy and Autism.

Current Projects

Determining the role of glucose metabolism and Glucose Transporter 1 during neural development

Modeling GLUT1 Deficiency Syndrome using human cerebral organoids

Elucidating the regulatory pathways of FOXP1 in neural stem cells and excitatory neurons

Our Lab Environment

We are based at Weill Cornell Medical College in the heart of the Upper East Side in New York City. We are part of the Center for Neurogenetics and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute.

Meet The Team

Caroline Alayne Pearson, PhD.

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor

Lab Alum

Njoud Al Naama, PhD.
Post doctoral Researcher

Njoud graduated from Cornell University in 2014. Njoud’s Phd was completed at Weill Cornell Medicine in the laboratory of Dr M. Elizabeth Ross. Njoud’s research focuses on FOXP1; the lineage specific roles of FOXP1 and how FOXP1 mediates cortical angiogenesis.

Annette Izumi, BSc.
Research Technician

Want to join the team?¹ Send your CV to cap4010@med.cornell.edu

Lab News

7/31/2025

We say a sad farewell and send all our best wishes to Catherine as she leaves the lab to embark on her medical career.

3/28/2025

The Pearson labs first R01 grant has been approved for funding by NINDS!

12/01/2024

The Pearson lab has received an R03 from NIH NIMH to continue our FOXP1 studies and elucidate the direct targets in neural progenitor cells and neurons

10/31/2024

Celebrating exciting new funding news at Abaita in midtown

Contact Us

cap4010@med.cornell.edu

Belfer Research Building

413 East 69th street

New York

NY 10065

USA

Funding

We greatly appreciate our funding sources, including:

• NIH NIMH
• NIH NINDS
• The American Epilepsy Society
• The Brain and Spine Research Institute at NYP/WCM
• The Glut1 Deficiency Foundation
• Mastercard Diversity Mentorship Collaborative at WCM

For more information about GLUT1 Deficiency Syndrome

For more information about FOXP1 Syndrome

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