Dr. Jordan Renna
Title: Associate Professor / Interim Chair
Dept/Program: Biology
Office: ASEC C307
Phone: 330-972-6933
Fax: 330-972-8445
Email: jrenna@uakron.edu
Website:
Biography
The Renna Lab explores the biology of the retina, with a focus on understanding the circuits and mechanisms by which we detect light in our environment and convert those signals to electrochemical responses our brain can perceive. Through the use of zebrafish, mouse, and human retinal organoid models, the lab investigates the mechanisms that drive the development of neural circuits and the progression of retinal diseases, aiming to identify critical periods where therapeutic intervention could slow or prevent degeneration. A significant part of their work involves the use of custom developed and patented technologies to measure retinal responses to light (electroretinograms; ERGs). This approach allows for real-time tracking of light-evoked responses in the retina, providing insight into the early stages of both development and dysfunction. Their research also spans the development of accessible, cost-effective technologies to support widespread retinal research and enhance diagnostic and therapeutic options for inherited diseases.
Beyond research on disease mechanisms, the lab is committed to education and hands-on learning for undergraduate students. They incorporate digital modeling into neuroscience education, creating projects like 3D-printed neuron modeling to help students grasp complex biological structures. This approach fosters interdisciplinary skills in biology and technology, encouraging students to think creatively and equipping them with practical tools for future scientific and medical careers.
Publications
Tarchick MJ., Beigh C., Bonezzi PJ., Peachey NS., Renna JM. Experimental Eye Research 2024 Mar 19:242:109872. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109872.
Renna JM., Sondereker KB., Cors CL., Chaszeyka SN., Keenan KN., Corigliano MR., Milgrom LA., Onyak JR., Hamad EJ., Stabio ME. Anatomical Sciences Education. 2024 Apr-May;17(3):499-505. doi: 10.1002/ase.2396. *** Featured on the Cover of the April/May 2024 issue.
Bonezzi PJ., Tarchick MJ., Moore BD., Renna JM. Journal of General Physiology 2023 Sep 4;155(9):e202213262. doi: 10.1085/jgp.202213262.
Tarchick MJ., Clute DA., Renna JM. Sci Rep 2023 Feb 17;13(1):2834. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-29572-2.
Onyak JR., Vergara NM., Renna JM. . Translational Research 2022 Jun 9; S1931-5244(22)00133-5. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.06.001.
Bonezzi PJ., Tarchick MJ., Renna JM. . Journal of Physiology 2020 Sep 4; doi: 10.1113/JP280014.
Sondereker KB., Stabio ME., Renna JM. . J. Comparative Neurology 2020 January 31. DOI: 10.1002/cne.24873.
Cleymaet AM., Gallagher SK., Tooker RE., Lipin MY., Renna JM., Sodhi P., Berg D., Hartwick ATE., Berson DM., Vigh J. (2019) . 2019 April 11 Neuroscience.
Sondereker KB., Stabio ME., Jamil JR., Tarchick M., Renna JM. (2018) J.Vis.Exp. 2018 Aug 4; (138), E57861.
Tufford AR., Onyak JR., Sondereker KB., Mattar P., Hattar S., Schmidt T., Renna JM., Cayouette M. (2018) Cell Reports. 2018 May 22; 23(8): 2416-2428.
Stabio ME., Sondereker KB., Haghou S., Day BL., Chidsey B., Sabbah S., Renna JM. (2018) The Journal of Comparative Neurology. 2018 Apr 6; 526(11):1749-1759.
Bonezzi PJ., Stabio ME., Renna JM., (2018) Current Eye Research. 2018 Feb 15: 1-8.
Stabio ME., Sabbah SX., Quattrochi L., Ilardi MC., Fogerson PM., Leyrer M., Kim MT., Kim I., Schiel M., Renna JM., Briggman KL., Berson DM., (2018) Neuron, 2018 Jan 3; 97(1):150-163.e4. Epub 2017 Dec 14.
Weng SJ., Renna JM., Chen WY., Yang XL., (2018) Methods in Molecular Biology. 2018; 1753:289-303.
Sondereker KB., Onyak JR., Ross CL., Islam SW., Renna JM. (2017) The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 2017 Dec 1; 525(17):3653-3665. Epub 2017 Aug 12.
Chew KS.*, Renna JM.*, McNeill DS., Fernandez DC., Keenan WT., Thomsen MB, Ecker JL., Loevinsohn GS., VanDunk C., Vicarel DC., Tufford A., Weng S., Gray PA., Cayouette M., Herzog ED., Zhao H., Berson DM., Hattar S. (2017) eLIFE, 2017 June 15; (6). *co-first authorship
Renna JM., Stukel JM., Kuntz Willits R., Engeberg ED. (2017) . PLoS ONE, 2017 April; 12(4).
Renna JM.,Chellappa DK., Ross CL., Stabio ME., Berson DM. (2015) . Developmental Neurobiology, 2015 September; 75(9): 935-46.
Renna JM., Weng S., Berson DM. (2011) . Nature Neuroscience, 2011 Jul 14; 827-829.
Ecker JL., Dumitrescu ON., Wong KY., Alam N., Chen SK., LeGates T., Renna JM., Prusky G., Berson DM., Hattar S. (2010) . Neuron, 2010 Jul 15; 67(1):49-60.
Strang CE., Renna JM., Amthor FR., Keyser KT. (2010) . Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 2010 May; 51(5):2778-2789.
Renna JM., Strang CE., Amthor FR., Keyser KT. (2007) . Visual Neuroscience, 2007 Jul-Aug;24(4):503-11.
Strang CE., Renna JM., Amthor FR., Keyser KT. (2007) . Visual Neuroscience, 2007 Jul-Aug;24(4):523-33.
Education
- Postdoc – Department of Neuroscience, Brown University (2008-13)
- Ph. D. - Vision Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham (2002-08)
- BS - Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis (1998-2001) and California State University, Fresno (1996-98)