Kelsey C. Martin

Kelsey Martin is a neuroscientist and cell biologist whose research studies the molecular and cell biology of long-term memory, with a focus on how experience alters connectivity between neurons. Her laboratory has pioneered studies on the regulation of gene expression within neurons during long-term memory formation, highlighting a critical role for synaptonuclear signaling molecules that impact transription and for local regulation of protein synthesis at the synapse. Deeply committed to academic medicine, Dr. Martin served as Dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA from 2015-2021. As Dean, she established programs in precision health and computational medicine, founded a master’s program in genetic counseling, and developed a series of interdepartmental research initiatives spanning basic through clinical research. In addition to her active research program at UCLA, Dr. Martin serves as Executive Vice President of Autism and Neuroscience at the Simons Foundation.