We study how the human brain develops and change across the lifespan.
Explore the Visual Neuroscience Laboratory
​and learn more
Brain development is the foundation of how we think, see, hear, and feel—unraveling its mysteries is both exciting and essential. In our lab, students don’t just study science; they engage with it, challenge ideas, and grow into independent researchers—all while having fun.
Curious about who we are? Dive into our current playlists (hint: the titles tell a story) and see what inspires us!

Lab Rules
Grad Students
PI
The Lab
Ph.D. Student
MSc Student


In my lab, we explore the development of the human visual cortex—one of the most complex systems in the brain. With more than 20 cortical areas dedicated to processing visual information, we seek to understand how these regions emerge and change over time.
Our research has revealed that healthy brain development continues well into the fourth decade of life. We've uncovered connections between cognitive and perceptual changes and underlying molecular shifts in the brain. Yet, there is still so much to discover about how the human brain develops, and we are driven to push the boundaries of that knowledge.
My graduate students have conducted groundbreaking research and have gone on to become leaders in academia, medicine, industry, and non-profit organizations.  Their successes highlight the diverse impact of our work and the strength of our training.
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​We are looking for motivated students to join our team and contribute to the next major discovery in human brain development.

We study the developing brain

  • We use a library of rare & valuable postmortem tissue samples from the human brain 
  • and a collection of animal models
  • to study development and plasticity in the visual areas of the brain
  • ​take a look at our recent review of how the human visual cortex develops.

We are investigating how key factors like sex and early life experiences shape the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire. By uncovering how these influences drive neural plasticity, we aim to reveal fundamental insights into brain development and resilience.

Human Brain Development

Experience & Neuroplasticity

Promoting Recovery

Do you know someone who is interested in the human brain and wants to do graduate studies in neuroscience?

Come to explore sex differences in the developing human brain

We have identified clusters of proteins in the human visual cortex that follow sex-specific developmental trajectories, shaping how the brain matures and adapts over the lifespan. These molecular signatures may underlie differences in visual processing, cognitive function, and resilience to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Come to study synaptic plasticity

 We are comparing synaptic plasticity mechanisms in different areas of the human brain and in animal models to answer why certain visual behaviours are more or less plasticity.  This is important for finding new treatments for visual disorders.

Come to work on translation

We are building models to translated synaptic age between animal models and humans.  This is important for translating biologically inspired treatments for a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders.
​​Oh, and did I mention that I have great students doing cool stuff in the lab and in their outreach activities like organizing Out of Our MiNDS and starting a podcast about how COVID affects the brain (COVIDontheBrain).
Here are some of the wonderful students that I've had the pleasure to work with, supervise, mentor and learn from.
Fill out this application if you are interested in joining the lab.

THE DETAILS ARE IN OUR PUBLICATIONS

Thank you for visiting the Visual Neuroscience Lab webpage.
Please contact me if you have questions -- Dr Kathryn Murphy
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My book of synaptosome protocols published in the Springer Nature series of NeuroMethods series.
"This volume describes techniques to make synaptosomes, and discusses numerous ways that synaptosomes are used to study and answer diverse questions about synapses. After examining the history that led to making synaptosomes, the chapters delved into its important as a tool to explore synaptic connections. Some of the topics covered in this book are: synaptosome bioenergetics and glutamate release; affinity proteomics for interactome and phosphoproteome screening in synaptosomes; isolation of highly purified and functionally active synaptic mitochondria; and profiling of microRNA and protein from purified synaptoneurosomes in a neurodegenerative disease model. In Neuromethods series style, chapters include the kind of detail and key advice from the specialists needed to get successful results in your laboratory.
 Cutting-edge and thorough, Synaptosomes is a valuable resource for any researcher interested in learning more about this developing field."
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