Austin A. Coley, Ph.D.
Dr. Austin Coley’s research addresses the granularity in mental health illnesses, specifically focusing on anhedonia, a condition characterized by the inability to experience joy or pleasure. Through innovative techniques like in vivo 2-Photon Calcium Imaging and ex vivo Electrophysiology, Coley aims to seek a deeper understanding of neural substrates, neural population activity and synaptic properties in disorders like schizophrenia and major depressive disorders. He currently serves as the Principal Investigator of the Coley Lab and tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in the Department of Neurobiology in the David Geffen School of Medicine. Austin is a member of the Brain Research Institute and Integrative Center for Learning and Memory.
Research
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Masters
During his master's research at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Austin Coley studied cellular physiology with a focus on chemosensitive neurons. Under the mentorship of Dr. Walter Boron, M.D., Ph.D., he explored the intricate pH regulation mechanisms in medullary raphé (MR) neurons. Dr. Coley's work centered on characterizing the pH physiology of these neurons by identifying electroneutral Na+-coupled HCO–3 transporters (nNCBTs) in the MR. This research demonstrated his commitment to unraveling the fundamental mechanisms underlying neuronal function.
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PhD
For his doctoral research at Drexel University, Dr. Austin Coley focused on advancing our understanding of synaptic proteins and mechanisms associated with schizophrenia. Under the mentorship of Dr. Wen-Jun Gao, M.D., Ph.D., he investigated the role of PSD-95 deficiency in disrupting prefrontal cortex (PFC) function and connectivity, leading to sociability and cognitive deficits. His research described glutamatergic and GABAergic aberrations in the PFC in response to PSD-95 deficiency. This research highlighted the importance of postsynaptic density proteins involved in psychiatric disorders.
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Post Doc
During his postdoctoral research at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Dr. Austin Coley investigates the effects of prefrontal cortex (PFC) neuronal populations during anhedonia. Under the guidance of his advisor, Dr. Kay Tye, Ph.D., his work focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms associated with the inability to experience pleasure or hedonic feelings. Dr. Coley's postdoctoral research utilized in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and optogenetics. His endeavors contribute to understanding neural population activity and dynamics in mood disorders.
Talks
Keynote Talks
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University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Colors of the Brain & STARTneuro Symposium
2023
The Simons Foundation, SURF Symposium
2023
Invited Seminar Talks
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Pavlovian 2025
08/09/25
GRC Catecholamines
08/24/25
Bruker Online Neuroscience Summit Conference
4/22/2025
Rutgers-Princeton Center for Computational Cognitive Neuropsychiatry (CCNP)
4/9/2025
UCLA Spotlight Speaker
02/02/25
UCLA: Neurobiology Fall Symposium
10/14/2024
UC Davis: Biological Psychology Research Seminar
12/3/2024
Gordon Research Conference: Frontal Cortex
08/2024
ICLM Southern California Learning and Memory Symposium
03/11/2024
Winter Conference of Neural Plasticity
02/23/2024
Gordon Research Conference - Catecholamines,
08/15/2023
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Department of Neurobiology
01/18/2023
Case Western Reserve University, Department of Neuroscience
07/07/2022
University of Virginia (UVA), Diversity Symposium 06/30/2022
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), ICLM Journal Club
04/15/2022
Stanford University, BELONG seminar series 04/05/2022
Weill Cornell Medical College, Frontiers in Neuropsychiatry Seminars
01/18/2022
Black in Neuro Seminar Series 12/03/2021
Tufts University, Neuroscience seminar series 11/18/2021
Lincoln University, Molecular mechanisms of neurological disorder class
10/15/2021
Emory University, Department of Genetics, Steve Warren Early Investigators
08/16/2021
Duke University, Department of Neurobiology seminar series
05/18/2021
Boston College, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
03/01/2021
Clemson University, Department of Neuroscience
02/26/2019
Virginia Union University (VUU), Department of Natural Sciences
11/08/2017
Upcoming Talks
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Society of Biological Psychiatry Meeting
05/01/2026
Experience
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Dr. Austin Coley is a neuroscientist who serves as a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he founded the Coley Lab.
He previously completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies under the mentorship of Kay M. Tye, Ph.D. Coley earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Drexel University, where he focused on synaptic proteins and mechanisms associated with schizophrenia under the guidance of Wen-Jun Gao, M.D., Ph.D. With a master's degree in Cell Physiology from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor's degree in Biology from North Carolina Central University, Austin's academic journey showcases a commitment to understanding the intricacies of brain function.
As a scientific investigator, Austin applies integrative approaches, utilizing cutting-edge techniques like in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and ex vivo electrophysiology to measure neural activity and synaptic properties. His research program revolves around isolating condition-specific changes in mental health disorders, particularly addressing the lack of granularity in diagnostic practices. Currently studying anhedonia, Austin explores how dysregulation in synaptic activity contributes to this condition, aiming to identify biomarkers for early intervention in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder.
Beyond his research, Austin has held an Adjunct Faculty position in Cellular Neurobiology at the University of California, San Diego, showcasing his commitment to education. Austin's multidimensional approach to research, commitment to education, and faculty experience underscore his dedication to advancing our understanding of the brain and mental health.
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Drexel University 2014-2019
Ph.D., Neuroscience
Advisor: Wen-Jun Gao, M.D., Ph.D.
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) 2009-2012
M.S., Cell Physiology
Advisor: Walter Boron, M.D., Ph.D.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) 2005-2009
B.S., Biology
Advisor: Daniel Williams, Ph.D.
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Postdoctoral Fellow
SCGB Transition to Independence Award 2022
NIH Research in Emerging Areas Critical to Human Health LRP Award 2022
ACNP URM Near Peer Mentorship Program 2021
40 under 40, Class of 2021, Drexel University 2021
The Above and Beyond recognition award, The Salk Institute 2021
1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists in America, Cell Mentor 2020
Trainee Leadership Award, Society for Research Fellows at The Salk Institute
2020
Career Advancement Award (Travel Award), Society for Research Fellows at The Salk Institute
2020
Ph.D. Student
International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) fellowship for NSP scholars and associates
2019
Research Innovation Award for the Biomedical Sciences at Drexel University
2019
NIH - DSPAN F99/K00
2017
Neuroscience Scholars Program (NSP) associate of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN)
2017
University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) NEURAL Conference travel grant
2018
Memorial Sloan Kettering travel grant 2017
Drexel University Goldberger/Boyne/Levine student excellence award 2017
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Teaching
University of California, Los Angeles
(UCLA)
Spring 2026
OSD106
University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Summer 2020, Summer 2021
BIPN140: Cellular Neurobiology
108 students enrolled.
Brookdale Community College Fall 2013, Spring 2014
BIOL111: Anatomy and Physiology 1
75 students enrolled.
Lectures
Drexel University | Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018
Synaptic Plasticity
12-15 students enrolled.
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Grant Support
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation NARSAD Award
2025-Present
Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain (SCGB) Transition to Independence Award
2022-Present
NIH Research in Emerging Areas Critical to Human Health – Loan Repayment Program (LRP)
(NIH/NINDS)
2022-2024
NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award (F99/K00)
2017-2024
Research Donations
Jennifer and George Rothrock donation
2021, 2022
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Success Tips from Successful African Americans: Volume 1 Summer 2022
Feature in Book
NINDS’s Building up the Nerve Podcast Spring 2022
Season 3. Episode 3: How to Find a Mentor
https://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/10608750-s3e3-how-to-work-with-a-mentor
40 under 40, Class of 2021: Drexel University Spring 2021
https://drexelmagazine.org/2021/austin-a-coley/
Inside Salk: Next Gen Winter 2020
https://inside.salk.edu/winter-2020/austin-coley/
“Austin Coley: Shaping Academia for Future Scientists”
KPBS Podcast: Rad Scientist October 28, 2020
https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/rad-scientist/2020/oct/28/brain-waves-and-rough-waves/
“Brain Waves and Rough Waves”
The Pulse Magazine: Drexel University Spring 2018
https://drexel.edu/medicine/news-events/publications/pulse/spring-2018/destination-excellence-integration-in-the-sciences/
Destination Excellence: Integration in the Sciences