About Us
Anis Contractor received his Ph.D. in neuropharmacology from University College London in the laboratory of Professor Alasdair Gibb, where he studied the functional properties of NMDA receptors. He performed postdoctoral studies at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies with Professor Stephen Heinemann, where he studied the role of glutamate receptors in synaptic plasticity and development. He joined the faculty at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 2004, where his laboratory focuses on studies of synaptic and circuit mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders in mouse models. Contractor is currently the Wendell Krieg Professor of Neuroscience in the Department of Neuroscience with a secondary appointment in the Department of Neurobiology.
Lab Members

Jian Xu
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

John Armstrong
RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR / LAB MANAGER

John Marshall
RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Toshihiro Nomura
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW
I am interested in understanding the synapse pathophysiology of neuronal and neuropsychiatric disorders. I also enjoy looking for delicious foods and drinks!

Charlotte Castillon
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW

Shintaro Otsuka
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW
I’m interested in how neural activity is altered in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders and how it affects their behavior. To resolve this question, I’m utilizing a head-mounted microscope and an operant task to see where and how the neural activity pattern of autistic model mice is altered during perseverative behavior, which is one of the principle symptoms in the autistic patients.

Yiwen Zhu
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW

Nai-Hsing Yeh
GRADUATE STUDENT

Morgane Chiesa
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW

Diana I-Ribera
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW

Matt Barraza
GRADUATE STUDENT
Lab Alumni
Josset Yarbrough
POST-BACCALAUREATE Student
Currently a rotating NUIN student.
Christine Remmers
Graduate Student
Postdoc Fellow in Bill Catterall’s lab at The University of Washington
Sara Ferrando-Colomer
POSTDOC FELLOW
Currently doing great things.
Chad Morton
PostBac Student (2017-18)
Graduate student in Vanessa Ruta’s lab at The Rockefeller University
Kelly Marshall
MS Student | Research Tech (2016-18)
Gradate Student in Evangelos Kiskinis lab at Northwestern University
Stephen Kraniotis
MANAGER | RESEARCH TECH (2010-2017)
Web Designer Extraordinaire
Claire Piochon
Postdoc Fellow (2015-18)
Herman Fernandes
PostDoc Fellow
Manager, Behavioral Pharmacology at Pyschogenics Inc
Qionger He
PostDoc Fellow
Head of Pharma Dept of International Trade British Consulate in Shanghai
Justin Catches
Graduate Student (2004-11)
Currently doing great things.
Ted Russel
Research Technician (2006-10)
Postdoc Fellow in Bill Green’s laboratory at The University of Chicago
Emily Harlow
Post-Doc
Owner of Denali Park Adventures
Louisa A Christie
PostDoc Fellow (2007-10)
Senior Scientist at Cerevance Ltd