Bonnie L. Firestein, Ph.D. is a Professor of Cell Biology and Neuroscience at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Her work focuses on regulation of the dendritic arbor, both in development and neurocognitive disorders, and specifically, schizophrenia. In addition, her laboratory works to understand molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal survival, regeneration, and restoration of function after injury, such as spinal cord and traumatic brain injury. Her recent work includes screening of small molecule compounds to aid in recovery of neurocognitive function after traumatic brain injury.
Dr. Firestein has been elected as a Fellow to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and a Fellow to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She serves on multiple journal editorial boards and grant review panels. Most notably, Dr. Firestein is an Associate Editor of Science Advances, and Editor of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience. She is a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society, Society for Neuroscience, the American Society for Neurochemistry, and AAAS. She participated in SFN’s Capitol Hill Day and AIMBE’s annual meeting congressional appointments, where she discussed science funding with congressional representatives. Dr. Firestein is interested in teaching the public about STEM, and she participates in outreach events for K-12 students.
Dr. Firestein is an avid Crossfitter and loves beagles and dachshunds.