Top Researchers
Top Neuroscience Researchers at Syracuse University for 2026
Syracuse University’s recent work in Neuroscience spans lab-based mechanisms, clinical questions, and human-centered studies. Across a sampled set of recent publications, researchers are examining how inflammation, metabolism, brain function, and behavior intersect in ways that matter for health and disease.
Below, you’ll find a snapshot of the scholars contributing to that mix of topics, along with the themes most often appearing across their recent work. The range reflects a department-wide interest in understanding the nervous system from molecules to lived experience.
Featured Researchers
Jialiu Zeng
Jialiu Zeng’s recent Syracuse University work centers on Epidemiology, Physiology, and Surgery, with publications on astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation, autolysosomal dysfunction, and obesity-linked body-brain interactions.
Activity over the last year: 4 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Lysosomal acidification impairment in astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation (Mar 2025)
- Palmitic acid–induced autolysosomal dysfunction and lipotoxicity in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration (Jul 2025)
- TNF as a mediator of metabolic inflammation and body-brain interaction in obesity-driven neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration (Sep 2025)
Andrew S. London
Andrew S. London’s Syracuse University publications connect Gender Studies, General Health Professions, and Infectious Diseases, including studies of ADHD diagnosis, substance use, and PTSD-related cardiovascular risk.
Activity over the last year: 4 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Self-Reported ADHD Diagnosis Status Among Working-Age Adults in the United States: Evidence From the 2023 National Wellbeing Survey (Feb 2025)
- Self-Reported ADHD Diagnosis and Illicit Drug Use and Prescription Medication Misuse Among U.S. Working-Age Adults (Aug 2025)
- The Joint Association of Veteran and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases (Dec 2025)
Chih Hung Lo
Chih Hung Lo’s recent Syracuse University work spans Physiology, Epidemiology, and Oncology, with repeated attention to lysosomal dysfunction, lipotoxicity, and neuroinflammation.
Activity over the last year: 3 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Lysosomal acidification impairment in astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation (Mar 2025)
- Palmitic acid–induced autolysosomal dysfunction and lipotoxicity in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration (Jul 2025)
- TNF as a mediator of metabolic inflammation and body-brain interaction in obesity-driven neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration (Sep 2025)
Robert P. Doyle
Robert P. Doyle’s Syracuse University research draws on Materials Chemistry, Oncology, and Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, including studies of vagal oxytocin receptors, receptor agonists, and appetite-related therapeutics.
Activity over the last year: 4 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Vagal oxytocin receptors are necessary for esophageal motility and function (May 2025)
- A GLP‐1R/Y1 receptor/Y2 receptor triple agonist decreases fentanyl‐evoked dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and attenuates fentanyl taking and seeking in rats (Jun 2025)
- A melanocortin 4- and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor multiple agonist for the treatment of diabetes and obesity (Oct 2025)
Ellyn A. Riley
Ellyn A. Riley’s Syracuse University publications focus on Cognitive Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, and Developmental and Educational Psychology, from pre-frontal tDCS to aphasia treatment and fatigue measurement.
Activity over the last year: 3 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Evidence of physiological changes associated with single-session pre-frontal tDCS: a pilot study (Feb 2025)
- Maximizing Generalization of Combined Treatment for Mild Aphasia and Apraxia: Evidence From Three Case Studies (Aug 2025)
- Development of the Fatigue Interference and Severity Scale for Aphasia (Mar 2025)
Tom D. Brutsaert
Tom D. Brutsaert’s Syracuse University work links Genetics, Endocrine and Autonomic Systems, and Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, with studies of altitude adaptation, ventilatory control, and balance.
Activity over the last year: 4 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Reply to Kleinsasser and Burtscher: Superimposed acclimatization and adaptation to low and high altitudes in highlanders compared to lowlanders (Jun 2025)
- No altitude required: differential ventilatory and blood acid-base homeostasis between unacclimatized lowlanders and Tibetan highlanders at 1,400 m (Sep 2025)
- Incremental ascent to 4300 m does not alter standing balance in lowlanders or Tibetan highlanders (Apr 2025)
Kylie S. Chichura
Kylie S. Chichura’s Syracuse University research sits at the intersection of Endocrine and Autonomic Systems, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, and Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, including work on receptor agonists and body weight regulation.
Activity over the last year: 5 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- A GLP‐1R/Y1 receptor/Y2 receptor triple agonist decreases fentanyl‐evoked dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and attenuates fentanyl taking and seeking in rats (Jun 2025)
- A melanocortin 4- and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor multiple agonist for the treatment of diabetes and obesity (Oct 2025)
- The Chimeric Peptide (GEP44) Reduces Body Weight and Both Energy Intake and Energy Expenditure in Diet-Induced Obese Rats (Mar 2025)
Natalie Russo
Natalie Russo’s Syracuse University publications emphasize Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental and Educational Psychology, and Psychiatry and Mental health, with recent attention to autism and early sensory development.
Activity over the last year: 2 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
What Syracuse University's Neuroscience Community Is Working On
The most common subfields point to a community actively working at the intersection of neuroscience, health, and behavior. Epidemiology and physiology appear frequently, alongside oncology, endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, and cognitive neuroscience, suggesting a broad focus on mechanisms that shape brain function and disease. Together, these areas show researchers exploring everything from inflammation and metabolic regulation to cognition, rehabilitation, and developmental outcomes.- Epidemiology - seen across 2 of the featured researchers
- Physiology - seen across 2 of the featured researchers
- Oncology - seen across 2 of the featured researchers
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism - seen across 2 of the featured researchers
- Cognitive Neuroscience - seen across 2 of the featured researchers
This selection offers a useful view of how Syracuse University researchers are approaching Neuroscience from multiple angles, whether through cellular pathways, clinical intervention, or behavioral outcomes. Explore the featured profiles below to see how these threads connect, and if you’re organizing your own literature review or manuscript workflow, Resub can help streamline the process.
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