Zebrafish Axon Guidance and Forebrain Patterning: We are interested in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that are responsible for the formation of the vertebrate forebrain. Using zebrafish as a powerful genetic and experimental model system, we are investigating 1) how signaling molecules help pattern the forebrain and pituitary and 2) how this patterned forebrain substrate guides retinal axons across the midline to form the optic chiasm.