Vivek Kumar, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Understand the genetic and neurobiological basis of complex behaviors that are important in psychiatric conditions such as addiction, ADHD, and depression using genomic, neural circuit, and computational tools.
The Kumar Lab consists of geneticists, neuroscientists, and computer scientists. We are passionate about discovering novel targets and models for mental illness through innovation at the confluence of computational, genetic, and genomic methods. Broadly, we are interested in development of better animal models and animal phenotyping methods for human psychiatric illnesses. We use computer vision approaches to quantitate behavior and functional approaches to understand its underlying neuronal and genetic architecture. We have developed high-throughput computer vision based methods for ethologically relevant animal phenotyping. In functional genomics work, we use QTL and mutagenesis approaches to discover novel pathways that can be targeted for addiction therapeutics. Our approaches are flexible and can be applied towards many psychiatric phenotypes. In sum, we are a leading research group using genetics as its foundation, and a combination of biochemistry, physiology, imaging, and computer vision techniques to dissect complex behavior in mammals.
Dr. Kumar carried out undergraduate research at The University of Chicago with Dr. Bob Haselkorn. He received his PhD at UCSD working with Dr. Michael G. Rosenfeld and structurally and biochemically characterized transcriptional co-repressors. During his postdoctoral work, Dr. Kumar trained with Dr. Joseph S. Takahashi at Northwestern and UT Southwestern and worked on functional genomics approaches to dissect the genetics of addiction.
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Search MagazineApril 26, 2022Using machine learning to keep an eye on healthy function and disease
JAX scientist Vivek Kumar, Ph.D., is using machine learning to automate and improve analysis of mouse behavior and movement. The new methods have already yielded important biological insights, and they may have even more profound implications for research into human diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer. -
Research HighlightFebruary 01, 2022Exploring the sleep-dementia connection
Catherine Kaczorowski of JAX to launch study of genetic factors involved in sleep disturbances in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. -
Featured ArticleMay 25, 2021Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021 Q&A
To celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021 at JAX, we interviewed some of our Asian and Pacific Islander employees from across our various campuses and job roles about their work at JAX and their heritage. -
Press ReleaseJuly 28, 2020Building better mouse models for addiction research
NIDA grant to Vivek Kumar of JAX will fund development of new preclinical models of addiction.
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Research HighlightMarch 30, 2022Unlocking the dynamics of sleep
Sleep affects our health in a multitude of ways and JAX researchers are working to figure out how on a genetic level. -
Research HighlightSeptember 30, 2021Investigating the biology of addiction
New mouse models are key to designing better therapeutic interventions for people at risk for addiction. -
Research HighlightApril 05, 2021Using machine learning to analyze mouse behavior
JAX researcher Dr. Vivek Kumar trains computers (using machine learning) to analyze specific mouse behaviors. -
Press ReleaseJuly 10, 2019How do sleep and social interaction affect addiction?
Innovative AI technology captures mouse sleep and social behaviors for the study of their influence on drug intake and addiction.