ASD Researchers at UNC

Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics/UNC School of Medicine

Patricia Maness, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the UNC School of Medicine.  Dr. Maness is a member of the UNC Neuroscience Center, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, and UNC Curriculum in Neurobiology

Dr. Maness’ research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing development of the mammalian nervous system; specifically, mechanisms of axon guidance and synaptic targeting and their disruption in neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.

Dr. Maness has received national recognition for her research, including the Jefferson-Pilot Award in Academic Research, NIH Career Development Award, Hilton Distinguished Investigator Award from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD), and Pogue Scholarly Research Fellowship (2015). She has served as a full member of NIH Study Section Neurodifferentiation, Plasticity, Regeneration and Rhythmicity, 2013-2017.