Fields of Research
- Neurobiology and Behavior
- Molecular Basis of Disease
- Intracellular Signaling
Research Summary
Elucidating molecular mechanisms that mediate neuronal development and disease.
Research Statement
The Yadav lab is investigating signaling pathways that mediate neuronal development as well as how their dysfunction leads to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. We utilize a combination of powerful approaches in chemical-genetics, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, high-resolution live cell imaging and quantitative proteomics to investigate the role of kinases and their downstream targets in neuronal development and disease.
Awards and Honors
Jaconette Teitze Young Scientist Award 2019
NARSAD Young Investigator Award 2018
NIH Pathway to Independence Award 2015

Smita Yadav
Assistant Professor
Affiliations
Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, UW
Center on Human Disease and Disability, UW
UW center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion
UW Molecular & Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Neuroscience Graduate Program
Funding support:
NIH/NIMH
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Brotman Baty Institute Collaborative Grant
Research Royalty Fund

Smita Yadav
Assistant Professor
Affiliations
Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, UW
Center on Human Disease and Disability, UW
UW center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion
UW Molecular & Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Neuroscience Graduate Program
Funding support:
NIH/NIMH
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Brotman Baty Institute Collaborative Grant
Research Royalty Fund
Faculty
- Building:
- Health Sciences Building
- Room:
- J157
- Box:
- 357280
- Phone:
- 206-685-9252
- Web Link:
- https://yadavlab.com/
Lab
- Building:
- Health Sciences Building
- Room:
- J159
- Box:
- 357280
- Phone:
- 206-685-2169
- Web Link:
- https://yadavlab.com/

Smita Yadav
Assistant Professor
Affiliations
Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, UW
Center on Human Disease and Disability, UW
UW center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion
UW Molecular & Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Neuroscience Graduate Program
Funding support:
NIH/NIMH
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Brotman Baty Institute Collaborative Grant
Research Royalty Fund
NBIO404

Smita Yadav
Assistant Professor
Affiliations
Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, UW
Center on Human Disease and Disability, UW
UW center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion
UW Molecular & Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Neuroscience Graduate Program
Funding support:
NIH/NIMH
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Brotman Baty Institute Collaborative Grant
Research Royalty Fund
Sujin Buyan (Neuroscience Graduate Student)
Sarah John (Pharmacology Graduate Student)
Josie Sejd (Pharmacology Graduate Student)

Smita Yadav
Assistant Professor
Affiliations
Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, UW
Center on Human Disease and Disability, UW
UW center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion
UW Molecular & Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Neuroscience Graduate Program
Funding support:
NIH/NIMH
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Brotman Baty Institute Collaborative Grant
Research Royalty Fund
Select Publications
Yadav S, Younger SH, Zhang L, Thompson-Peer KL, Li T, Jan LY, Jan YN. Glial ensheathment of the somatodendritic compartment regulates sensory neuron structure and activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 Mar 12;116(11):5126-5134. PMID: 30804200
Yadav S, Oses-Prieto JA, Peters CJ, Zhou J, Pleasure SJ, Burlingame AL, Jan LY, Jan YN. TAOK2 Kinase Mediates PSD95 Stability and Dendritic Spine Maturation through Septin7 Phosphorylation. Neuron. 2017 Jan 18;93(2):379-393 PubMed PMID: 28065648
Deshpande A, Yadav S, Dao DQ, Wu ZY, Hokanson KC, Cahill MK, Wiita AP, Jan YN, Ullian EM, Weiss LA. Cellular Phenotypes in Human iPSC-Derived Neurons from a Genetic Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cell Rep. 2017 Dec 5;21(10):2678-2687 PubMed PMID: 29212016
Ultanir SK, Yadav S, Hertz NT, Oses-Prieto JA, Claxton S, Burlingame AL, Shokat KM, Jan LY, Jan YN. MST3 kinase phosphorylates TAO1/2 to enable Myosin Va function in promoting spine synapse development. Neuron. 2014 Dec 3;84(5):968-82 PubMed PMID: 25456499
Yadav S, Puthenveedu MA, Linstedt AD. Golgin160 recruits the dynein motor to position the Golgi apparatus. Dev Cell. 2012 Jul 17;23(1):153-65 PubMed PMID: 22814606
Publications

Smita Yadav
Assistant Professor
Affiliations
Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, UW
Center on Human Disease and Disability, UW
UW center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion
UW Molecular & Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Neuroscience Graduate Program
Funding support:
NIH/NIMH
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Brotman Baty Institute Collaborative Grant
Research Royalty Fund