Studied at University of Physics, Romania; transferred to Caltech; PhD work, Stanford University, on developing molecular and cellular tools to aid investigations of the nervous system; HFSP and Pew Scholar. Has developed optogenetic tools for neuronal control and used them to study the Parkinsonian neuronal circuitry. At Caltech lab, will leverage expertise in molecular engineering of tools for controlling and monitoring the activity of brain cells, in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology, and behaviour, to create powerful new molecular tools and use them to investigate and fine-tune malfunctioning brain circuitry.