Mattis Lab – Dissecting the circuit mechanisms of epilepsy

Our long-term goal is to develop new epilepsy treatments that are rationally designed to target precise circuit elements. We investigate how neuronal circuits are dysfunctional in epilepsy, and how these circuits can be modified to improve seizures.

The Mattis Lab is located in the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan. We are affiliated with the Department of Neurology and with the Michigan Neuroscience Institute (MNI). The lab was founded June 2022, and we have already built a vibrant and productive lab community!

Mattis lab, June 2023

Research

Our research combines slice and in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, chemogenetics, and imaging techniques (2-photon and fiber photometry) in preclinical experimental models of epilepsy. We use this approach to study

The role of subcortical neuromodulatory networks in seizures
How subcortical neuromodulatory networks are chronically impacted in epilepsy

The role of subcortical neuromodulatory networks in seizures

The impact of chronic epilepsy on neuromodulatory networks

Lab News

Mar 20, 2026 - Joanna presents at Midwestern University
Joanna gave an invited talk at Midwestern University in Illinois. Thank you for the invitation!

Mar 17, 2026 - Silvia and Hudson receive summer fellowships
Two of our undergraduates received fellowship funding to support full time research in the lab this summer. Congratulations to Hudson, who received a Magnificent Michigan Fellowship (through the Michigan Neuroscience Institute), and to Silvia, who received the competitive Honors Summer Fellowship, in addition to a psych/BCN summer research scholarship!

Feb 19, 2026 - Joanna gives Grand Rounds at UToledo
Joanna had the opportunity to share the lab's research with the Department of Neurology at the University of Toledo. Thank you for the invitation to speak, and for all of the great questions!

Jan 14, 2026 - Sharvayu joins the lab
We are happy to have Sharvayu as a new undergraduate student in the lab. Sharvayu brings his prior experience with EEG analysis and machine learning, and will join the lab's analysis team. Welcome, Sharvayu!

Jan 08, 2026 - lab expansion
The Mattis lab is expanding! We started out 2026 by moving into additional desk and bench space, which also enabled us to duplicate our surgical and seizure-induction set-ups in our procedure room. This expansion will facilitate higher throughput data collection, just in time to host two rotation students this semester. Exciting times!

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