Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Nicola Allen is an Associate Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. She received her PhD from University College London studying neuronal responses to ischemia, and performed Postdoctoral research at Stanford University where she identified how astrocytes synapse formation. Current work investigates how astrocytes regulate neuronal synapse number and synaptic function across the lifespan in health and disease. The goal is to use this knowledge of astrocytes to repair synapses when they are dysfunctional in diverse neurological disorders. Dr Allen has received a number of awards, including Pew Scholar, Ellison Scholar in Aging, and Career Accelerator Award from CZI.