Roger Clem, PhD
- ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
- ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
Research Topics:
Auditory, Behavior, Brain, Cerebral Cortex, Cognitive Neuroscience, Depression, Electrophysiology, Glutamate (NMDA & AMPA) Receptors, Growth Factors and Receptors, Hippocampus, Knockout Mice, Memory, Neural Networks, Neurophysiology, Synaptic Plasticity, Synaptogenesis, Systems Neuroscience
Dr. Clem is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His research is focused on how experience alters the function of brain circuits to encode emotional responses.
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Neuroscience [NEU]Education
PhD, Carnegie Mellon University
Johns Hopkins University
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2018
FBI Research Scholar Award -
2014
NARSAD Young Investigator Award -
2011
Finalist, Eppendorf and Science Prize for Neurobiology -
2011
Daniel Nathans Research Award -
2009
National Research Service Award
Emotional Brain Plasticity
Emotional memories mediate adaptive behavioral reactions to dangerous and rewarding situations. However, memories acquired during intense emotional experiences also contribute to debilitating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction. One basis for these powerful effects is the association of stimuli that were encountered during trauma or drug use with the experience of threat or pleasure. Our laboratory aims to understand how such associations are stored in the brain, and identify circuit mechanisms by which they can be alleviated.
We utilize a combination of approaches including optogenetics, synaptic electrophysiology and calcium imaging, to identify how neural pathways and individual neurons are engaged and modified during memory storage. Once memories are established, other experiments address the mechanisms that contribute to their reinforcement or attenuation by molecular and behavioral interventions.
Research Personnel
Sabina Bayshtok -- Research Associate
Kirstie Cummings, Ph.D. -- Postdoctoral Fellow
Darpan Chakraborty, Ph.D. -- Postdoctoral Fellow
Anthony Lacagnina, Ph.D. -- Postdoctoral Fellow
Ciorana Roman-Ortiz -- Ph.D. student
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Dr. Clem did not report having any of the following types of financial relationships with industry during 2022 and/or 2023: consulting, scientific advisory board, industry-sponsored lectures, service on Board of Directors, participation on industry-sponsored committees, equity ownership valued at greater than 5% of a publicly traded company or any value in a privately held company. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.