My primary research interest lies in studying the neural circuits underlying psychiatric disease. Specifically, I have a long-standing interest in studying a particular brain structure known as the lateral habenula, which is of particular interest as it is known to be one of the key structures implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. Currently, I am utilizing a combination of patch-clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics, chemogenetics and behavioural paradigms to study how inhibitory input to the lateral habenula is altered in a rodent model of depression known as maternal separation.

Webster, J.F., Vroman, R., Beerens, S., Sakata., S & Wozny, C. (2021). Ndnf is selectively expressed by neocortical but not habenular neuroglia form cells. European Journal of Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.15237

Webster, J. F., & Wozny, C. (2020). Behavior: Local Lateral Habenula Interneurons Mediate Aggression. Current Biology, 30(16), R954–R956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.065

Webster, J. F., Vroman, R., Balueva, K., Wulff, P., Sakata, S., & Wozny, C. (2020). Disentangling neuronal inhibition and inhibitory pathways in the lateral habenula. Scientific Reports, 10, 1–17.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65349-7