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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ArticleSeptember 19, 2024Next Scientifically Speaking session focuses on machine learning and cognitive function
The Jackson Laboratory’s virtual series ‘Scientifically Speaking’ continues October 10 with Jaycee Choi, a predoctoral associate who is using machine learning tools to study the behavior and cognitive function of mice in their natural state. -
ArticleJuly 29, 2024JAX researchers present addiction research and offer hope at Maine Governor’s Opioid Summit
JAX researchers share their findings with communities in Maine affected by addiction, creating a direct connection between scientific research and the people it impacts most. -
Featured ArticleApril 16, 2024Incorporating diverse background genetics to better model human disease
JAX scientists are working to make it more feasible for researchers to incorporate diverse background genetics to better model human disease in mice. -
Featured ArticleSeptember 06, 2022Developing machine learning and deep learning at JAX
Matthew Gerring is applying the machine learning and deep learning revolution at JAX.
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Press ReleaseAugust 07, 2024Researchers develop stress-free method to weigh mice using computer vision
The Jackson Laboratory has developed a computer vision-based method to accurately and continuously measure mouse body mass, offering a new resource for researchers that promises to enhance the quality of a wide range of preclinical studies. -
Blog PostJune 27, 20245 things: research tools and methods that may be medical game changers
Explore five research tools and methods that didn't exist ten years ago that could be medical game changers. -
Research HighlightSeptember 08, 2022Measuring frailty in mice to examine aging
Vivek Kumar is using machine learning and computational science to examine frailty in mice to study the biology of aging. -
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.