Sunil Gandhi, assistant professor of neurobiology & behavior at UC Irvine, was recently named one of 17 Searle Scholars for 2013. This is the first time in 15 years that a UC Irvine faculty member has received this honor, which recognizes and supports innovative biomedical sciences and chemistry research by young faculty. Gandhi’s work focuses on developing methods to reactivate plasticity in targeted regions of the brain, which has the potential to facilitate repair after traumatic injury, stroke or neurodegenerative disease. In addition, reactivating plasticity might enhance behavioral therapies for psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. The award includes $300,000 to fund Gandhi’s research over the next three years. For more information about the Searle Scholars Program, visit http://www.searlescholars.net.