Ryan Massopust, PhD

I investigate changes in synaptic structure and function as a result of aging and disease at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). As a graduate student my thesis work focused on identifying and understanding pathological changes at NMJs and skeletal muscles in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy. In the Valdez Lab I am investigating molecular changes in perisynaptic Schwann cells throughout the lifespan that may contribute to the aging of NMJs and skeletal muscles.