Dr. Huber’s research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the developing and mature rodent brain. Over the past decade, Dr. Huber’s lab has studied how genes that are mutated in human mental retardation and autism affect synapse development and plasticity. She discovered alterations in a specific type of synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome, the most common inherited mental retardation and autism. This discovery has led to mechanism-based clinical trials in Fragile X and autism patients. Her work has also contributed to the understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of altered synaptic function in Fragile X and other mouse autism models which has provided novel avenues for therapeutic development.