The Morrow lab investigates the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying disorders of cognitive development, such as intellectual disability and autism. The long-term aim of this research is to establish a basic foundation for improved genetic diagnosis and treatment interventions designed to enhance cognitive and functional gains for patients. Because these disorders are highly genetic and in order to identify core molecular mechanisms, study of novel human neurogenetic syndromes has been a principal focus. In complement to this, molecular neuroscience studies of identified pathways are underway in experimental systems in human and rodent tissues. The laboratory investigates mechanisms in neuronal organelles, such as endosomes, lysosomes and mitochondria, including also neurometabolism. Through study of human neurogenetic syndromes, the laboratory has increasingly been investigating mechanisms in selective neuronal vulnerability and neurodegeneration. Pre-clinical studies of molecular therapies, including gene therapy, are also in progress. 

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and intellectual disability are common and cause profound morbidity in populations worldwide. The associated costs to society are high and that to families are immeasurable. Intellectual disability (ID), the most common developmental disability, occurs in 2% of people and is a major cause of lifelong disability across the world. 

The Morrow lab investigates the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying disorders of cognitive development. The long-term aim of this research is to establish a basic foundation for improved genetic diagnoses and innovative treatment interventions designed to enhance cognitive and functional gains for patients. Because these disorders are highly genetic and in order to identify core molecular mechanisms, the study of novel human neurogenetic syndromes has been a principal focus. In complement to this, molecular neuroscicence studies of identified pathways are underway.

Research in the Morrow lab bridges campus and medical school efforts at Brown. The Morrow lab is located at the Laboratories for Molecular Medicine at 70 Ship Street. The Lab partners with the Developmental Disorders Genetics Research Program (DDGRP) in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior. 

Dr. Morrow's teaching and mentorship bridges from the classroom to the clinic. He enjoys taking an active role in, and is dedicated to, mentoring students and junior faculty. He has formally mentored numerous undergraduate students, graduate students, medical students, post-doctoral research assistants, and junior faculty. These mentoring activities range from supervision of short-term independent research projects or research rotations to serving as a graduate program thesis advisor to sponsoring clinical and basic post-doctoral research. Dr. Morrow received the 2011-2012 Psychiatry Research Mentor Award from the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University.