Michael Notaras

Michael Notaras is a researcher at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. His primary interest is to disambiguate the neurobiology responsible for mental disorders. A personal goal from this work is to reduce stigma via advocating that “mental disorders” are not just “psychological” but rather “disorders of the brain”.

Mike was awarded his PhD in Neuroscience from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where he studied stress-sensitivity and the long-term effects of stress on the brain. He moved to New York City in 2016 and has since pivoted his research towards the molecular-genetic mechanisms that underlie autism and schizophrenia. To study these brain diseases, Mike has acquired unique multi-disciplinary training in human cognitive science, genetically-engineered mouse models, neurochemical approaches including CLICK-chemistry, microfluidic devices for synaptic compartmentalization, multielectrode single-unit recordings of neurons, sequencing of single-cells captured in “nanodroplet gem emulsions”, tandem-mass-tag proteomics, human induced pluripotent stem cells, and 3D neural stem cell systems. To maintain a balanced life, when out of the lab Mike likes to explore New York’s food scenes, paint, and write. He is currently working on a couple of books related to mental health advocacy.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy - PhD University of Melbourne (2013 — 2016)

Companies

• Biotechnology Equity Research Associate Wolfe Research, LLC (2021)
• NHMRC CJ Martin Fellow in Neuroscience & Stem Cell Neurobiology Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University (2018 — 2021)
• Founder & Chair of Mental Health Think Tank, Weill Cornell PDA Board Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University (2020 — 2021)
• Postdoctoral Affairs Board Member, Weill Cornell Medical College Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University (2019 — 2021)
• Adjunct Professor of Natural Sciences (Applied Physics) Fordham University (2020 — 2020)
• Responsible Conduct in Research Course Facilitator Weill Cornell Medicine (2017 — 2020)
• Postdoctoral Associate in Neuroscience Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University (2016 — 2017)
• Teaching Associate University of Melbourne (2013 — 2016)
• Teaching Associate Monash University (2012 — 2012)