The hair cells of the inner ear are responsible for converting auditory and balance cues into the electrical signals our brains can understand. This is an ongoing and highly energetically demanding process. Therefore, hair cells require a lot from their mitochondria, the “powerhouses of the cell,” to get the job done. Slight alterations in hair cell mitochondria can lead to hearing loss. But we still don’t understand the precise relationship between hair cells and their mitochondria. In our lab, we use the zebrafish lateral line as a model for hair cells. This allows us to precisely quantify the relationship between mitochondrial structure and hair cell function.

We use a combination of genetic models, live confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, and electrophysiology to visualize and quantify hair cell mitochondrial in normal and averse conditions. The ultimate goal is to inform development of novel mitochondrially targeted therapeutics and provide fundamental insights regarding "mitochondrial deafness." We also aim to create an environment that is diverse and inclusive.