Özge Öztan, Ph.D.

Years in Lab: 2014 - present 

I earned my B.S. in Biology at the University of Ankara, Turkey. Subsequently, I completed my M.S. and Ph.D. in Behavioral and Molecular Neuroscience at Florida Atlantic University. As a graduate student, I studied chronic stress-induced individual differences in social functioning with relevance to depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in adolescent rats. Additionally, in the developing rodent brain, I investigated related molecular and structural changes underlying these social behavioral differences. I am very interested in studying molecular and structural mechanisms that underlie the development of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. As a Senior Research Scientist at Stanford University, I investigate molecular substrates of impaired social functioning both in preclinical models and in individuals with autism. 

Awards and Accomplishments: 

• Stanford University Child Health Research Institute Postdoctoral Award, Stanford University (2014-2015)
• Dissertation of the Year Award, Florida Atlantic University (2012-2013)
• Student poster competition award winner (top 3 out of 40) at College of Medicine Research Day, Florida Atlantic University (2012)
• Student Government Travel Award for Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, Florida Atlantic University (2011)
• Student poster competition award winner (top 3 out of 60) at College of Science Research Day, Florida Atlantic University (2011)
• Dean’s List for Academic Excellence, University of Ankara, Turkey (2006)