Dr. Jacqueline Crawley stands as an internationally recognized leader in behavioral neuroscience and translational research on neurodevelopmental disorders. She currently holds the distinguished title of Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Davis MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences following her tenure as the Robert E. Chason Endowed Chair in Translational Research from 2012 to 2020. Her scholarly foundation was established through a biology undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, doctoral studies in zoology at the University of Maryland, and postdoctoral training in neuropsychopharmacology at Yale University School of Medicine. Prior to her role at UC Davis, she served as Chief of the Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience at the National Institute of Mental Health from 1983 to 2012, where she built a distinguished research program that established her as a pioneering figure in rodent behavioral genetics and neuropharmacology.
Dr. Crawley's groundbreaking research program focuses on developing and applying sophisticated mouse models to investigate the genetic underpinnings of autism spectrum disorders and identify potential therapeutic interventions for core diagnostic symptoms. Her laboratory has produced over 275 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 110 review articles that have collectively garnered more than 36,000 citations, reflecting her substantial impact on the field. She is the acclaimed author of What's Wrong With My Mouse? Behavioral Phenotyping of Transgenic and Knockout Mice, now in its second edition, which has become the definitive reference for researchers worldwide studying mouse models of neurodevelopmental conditions. Her methodological innovations in behavioral phenotyping have established gold-standard protocols that enable more precise translation of preclinical findings to human clinical applications.
Beyond her research contributions, Dr. Crawley has profoundly shaped the neuroscience community through her extensive service on 16 journal editorial boards and numerous scientific advisory committees that guide national research priorities. Her exceptional contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors including the Distinguished Scientist Award from the International Behavioral and Neural Genetics Society and the Marjorie A. Myers Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society. As a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, she continues to influence the next generation of neuroscientists through mentorship and collaborative research initiatives. Her current work remains focused on advancing translational approaches to understanding autism spectrum disorders, ensuring that her legacy of rigorous scientific inquiry continues to drive progress in developing effective therapeutic interventions for neurodevelopmental conditions.
