Our Team

Paul Hagerman, MD, PhD – Principal Investigator

Dr. Hagerman is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and a MIND Institute investigator, at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine (UC Davis). Through a series of major clerical errors, he obtained both his MD and PhD degrees from Stanford University School of Medicine. Following a three-year Leukemia Society Fellowship at UC San Diego, Dr. Hagerman joined the faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where he managed to remain for twenty years, despite strenuous complaints from his colleagues, prior to joining the UC Davis faculty in 2001.

Dr. Hagerman is a molecular geneticist with a principal interest in understanding the basis for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, the Hagerman lab has made a number of important observations related to the mechanism of gene expression of the fragile X (FMR1) gene. Mutations of the FMR1 gene give rise to fragile X syndrome, the leading heritable form of mental impairment and autism.

In 2001, Dr. Hagerman, with his wife, Dr. Randi Hagerman, and colleagues, reported the discovery of a neurological disorder involving tremor and balance problems, which they later named fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS, “fax-tass”). FXTAS is now known to be one of the most common single-gene forms of neurodegeneration. With features of Parkinsonism and dementia, FXTAS represents a model system for understanding the basic cell mechanisms underlying more common disorders such as Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases.

Researchers:
Glenda Espinal, SRA III, Lab Manager – Glenda is involved in characterizing FMRP and FMR1 expression levels in mouse and human samples. Ongoing experiments include testing and optimizing new procedures to improve the quality and efficiency for measuring FMRP levels in patients. She manages all aspects of operation in the laboratory, which includes supplies ordering, equipment maintenance, and safety training.

Research Coordinator and Executive Assistant:
Lisa Makhoul – Lisa assists Dr. Hagerman with everyday administrative tasks, manages research case files, and edits, assembles, and submits grants and manuscripts. She is also involved with the establishment and maintenance of molecular and neuropathology/tissue databases.