Chris Dulla Named the Annetta and Gustav Grisard Professor of Neuroscience

Following his appointment in June 2025 as Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Tufts University School of Medicine, Professor Chris Dulla, PhD, has now been named the Annetta and Gustav Grisard Professor of Neuroscience. This prestigious professorship, established in 2008 through the generosity of Annetta Grisard-Schrafl, J94P, a Tufts international advisor and university trustee emerita, and her spouse, Gustav Grisard, J94P, supports an outstanding neuroscientist at the School of Medicine. Dulla’s appointment to the Grisard Professorship recognizes his exceptional contributions to neuroscience and affirms the school’s confidence in his visionary leadership.

A Career Marked by Scientific Insight and Collaboration
Dr. Dulla’s career in neuroscience is distinguished by both scientific rigor and a deep commitment to collaboration. He began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona, followed by a doctorate from the University of Colorado. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Neurology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Since joining Tufts in 2010, Dr. Dulla has made significant contributions to the understanding of neurotransmission and neuronal circuitry. His laboratory has produced pivotal insights into astrocyte glutamate uptake, neuron–glia interactions, GABAergic interneuron development, and the metabolic regulation of neuronal activity—research with important implications for conditions such as epilepsy and traumatic brain injury.

Appointed Chair of the Department of Neuroscience in June 2025 after serving as interim chair since September 2023, Dr. Dulla has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. As interim chair, he established key partnerships with Tufts Medicine departments—including Psychiatry, Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Neurosurgery—and worked across Tufts University to strengthen the TU-TMC Research Enterprise. These efforts have enhanced integration between basic research and clinical practice, positioning the department at the forefront of translational neuroscience.

This spring, those collaborations culminated in the second annual Neuroscience and Behavioral Health Research Day, which showcased outstanding research from across the university, including the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the School of Arts and Sciences. Under Dr. Dulla’s leadership, the department continues to thrive as a hub for innovative research, education, and cross-disciplinary engagement.

Expanding the Frontiers of Neurodegeneration and Translational Research
As chair, Dr. Dulla envisions a department that leads in both foundational discovery and clinical translation. By building on these research strengths, he aims to position the Department of Neuroscience at the forefront of neurodegeneration and therapeutic innovation—unifying basic science with clinical relevance and accelerating the development of treatments that move from bench to bedside.

Looking ahead, Dr. Dulla emphasizes the vital role of astrocytes in brain health and disease. “I am very excited for the growth of research around how glial cells, in particular astrocytes, contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and brain aging,” he stated. Collaborations with Giuseppina Tesco and Miranda Good are unveiling new connections between vasculature, astrocytes, and neurodegeneration.

Other partnerships throughout Tufts are yielding translational breakthroughs: work by Yongjie Yang, Alexei Degterev, and Larry Feig illustrates how astrocytes influence neuronal activity throughout the body; and joint efforts led by Steve Moss and Jamie Maguire—supported by industry partners—are advancing novel approaches to treat epilepsy and mood disorders. Significantly, gene therapy projects, developed in collaboration with industry, have energized Dr. Dulla’s optimism about future treatments. With a clear vision and collaborative momentum, Dr. Dulla is shaping a department poised to lead in translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions for neurological disease.

A Mentor Who Empowers, Elevates, and Inspires
Dr. Dulla’s impact extends well beyond the lab. As a dedicated mentor and educator, he has fostered a supportive and inclusive environment that empowers emerging scientists to thrive. His commitment to mentorship has earned him national recognition. In 2019, he received the NIH’s Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, along with a $100,000 grant to support his mentees—singled out as “a person to call on when students have career challenges to overcome.” That same year, he and graduate student Sadi Quiñones were awarded a fellowship from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to strengthen mentoring, leadership, and diversity initiatives.

“One of the best parts of this job is that you’re always getting to work with early-career scientists. They have interesting ideas themselves and they challenge your ideas,” remarked Dr. Dulla.

Dr. Dulla’s mentorship spans more than lab techniques; it includes training in writing, presentations, networking, and navigating academic politics. He actively promotes his mentees—showcasing their work at conferences and advocating for their development. In his capacity as director of Tufts’ PhD in Neuroscience program, he guided emerging researchers in advanced methods such as neurotransmitter imaging and electrophysiology. These efforts earned him acclaim from faculty and students alike as a compassionate and adept mentor, consistently fostering a supportive and productive research environment.

Visionary Leadership and Institutional Recognition
Dean Helen Boucher praised Dr. Dulla’s appointment, noting: “His vision for the future of neuroscience at Tufts bridges foundational science with clinical relevance and promotes a model of collaborative research that positions the department at the forefront of the field.” Dr. Philip Haydon, former department chair and the previous holder of the Grisard Professorship added, “Chris has demonstrated a clear and compelling vision for the department… His strong leadership and innovative thinking will pave the way for the department to soar to new heights.”

As chair, Dr. Dulla plans to further expand the department’s research portfolio, enhance interdisciplinary partnerships, and strengthen its educational mission. His goals include deepening ties with clinical collaborators, cultivating groundbreaking therapeutic strategies, and enriching graduate and postdoctoral training—particularly in emerging fields like gene therapy, neurodegeneration, and neuron–glia biology.

Dr. Dulla expressed both humility and ambition upon his appointment: “This is an exciting time for our department and for Tufts. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of neuroscience and make meaningful contributions to human health.”