Pablo M. Paez PhD

Pablo Paez

Pablo M. Paez
PhD

Professor

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Developmental Biology; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Myelin Diseases; Neurobiology; Neuroscience

Contact Information
Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration
NYS Center Of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences
701 Ellicott Street, Room B4-320
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-881-7823
Fax: 716-881-7823
ppaez@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

We study the development and function of glial cells—specifically oligodendrocytes and astrocytes—in the central nervous system. Our research focuses on how ion channels, particularly voltage-gated calcium channels, regulate the specification, migration, and differentiation of these cells. We have demonstrated that calcium channels are essential for normal myelination, acting at multiple stages of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) development. Currently, we are investigating whether these channels also contribute to remyelination, with the goal of developing therapeutic strategies for myelin repair in diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

In parallel, we explore astrocyte biology, with a particular emphasis on astrocytic calcium signaling in glial-neuronal interactions. Using conditional knockout mice lacking calcium channels in astrocytes, we are analyzing how astrocytic calcium dynamics influence brain function through behavioral, electrophysiological, imaging, and immunohistochemical approaches.

Recently, our lab has expanded its focus to include the role of iron in glial cell physiology. Iron is a critical cofactor in processes such as oxidative metabolism and myelination, and its dysregulation has been linked to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Our recent publications highlight how iron accumulation in glial cells—particularly astrocytes and microglia—can impair cellular function and exacerbate injury responses. By integrating iron metabolism into our broader research framework, we aim to uncover how iron homeostasis in glial cells influences brain health and central nervous system integrity.

Our work is supported by long-standing grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, Dev. Neuroscience, University of California at Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences (2010)
  • PhD, Neuroscience, University of Buenos Aires, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (2005)
  • BS, Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (2000)

Employment:

  • Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2024-present)
  • Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2018-present)
  • Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2013–2018)
  • Research Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine (2010–2013)
  • Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine (2006–2010)
  • Research Assistant, Department of Biochemical Pathology, University of Buenos Aires School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (2000–2005)
  • Teaching & Research Assistant, Department of Biochemical Pathology, University of Buenos Aires School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (2000–2004)

Awards and Honors:

  • International Society for Neurochemistry and European Society for Neurochemistry Young Investigator Award (2011)
  • American Society for Neurochemistry Young Investigator Award (2008)
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society Postdoctoral Fellowship (2007)
  • American Society for Neurochemistry Young Latin American Scholars Award (2003)
  • American Society for Neurochemistry Young Investigator Award (2002)

Research Expertise:

  • Neuroscience, Neurochemistry and Molecular Biology

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • February 2025–January 2030
    Selective galactosylceramidase ablation to study the pathogenesis of Krabbe leukodystrophy
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $1,950,000
  • December 2021–November 2027
    Modulation of oligodendrocyte development by voltage-operated calcium channels
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,993,750
  • October 2022–September 2026
    Accelerating remyelination using lanthionine ketimine derivatives
    Department of Veterans Affairs
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $85,000
  • July 2023–June 2026
    Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in remyelination
    US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $620,000
  • June 2021–November 2025
    An innovative instrument cluster for the integrative behavioral analysis of mouse mutants with perturbed neuronal connectivity
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $175,000
  • May 2022–April 2025
    Accelerating remyelination with lanthionine ketimine – the role of LKE on oligodendrocyte development and remyelination
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $85,000
  • February 2019–January 2025
    The peripheral nervous system: a window into Krabbe disease
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $1,929,000
  • July 2022–June 2024
    Induction of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Differentiation by Blocking Store-Operated Oscillatory Calcium-Release
    US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $150,000
  • July 2021–June 2023
    Role of Pacs2 in central nervous system myelination
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $439,000
  • December 2017–November 2022
    Muscarinic Receptor Type 3 Regulation of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Differentiation
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $988,000
  • April 2019–March 2022
    Voltage-gated calcium channels in reactive astrocytes, a possible therapeutic target to reduce brain inflammation and promote remyelination in MS.
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $556,000
  • December 2019–November 2021
    Systematic discovery of critical oligodendrocyte transcription factors by a CRISPRi Screen
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $439,000
  • July 2018–June 2021
    A Novel Stress-Activated Inhibitor of Myelination
    US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $890,000
  • June 2013–May 2019
    Modulation of oligodendrocyte development by voltage-operated calcium channels
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,940,000
  • June 2014–May 2016
    Modulation of oligodendrocyte development by voltage-operated calcium channels
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $125,000
  • October 2011–September 2015
    Modulation of oligodendrocyte function and myelination by the golli proteins
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $571,000
  • October 2012–April 2014
    Modulation of oligodendrocyte development by voltage-operated calcium channels
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $453,000
  • October 2011–September 2012
    The Role of Voltage-operated calcium channels during oligodendrocyte development
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $44,000
  • October 2009–September 2012
    Goli-mpb gene expression in the nervous system
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $480,000
  • April 2007–March 2010
    Golli Proteins and calcium homeostasis in oligodendroglial maturation
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $150,000
See all (10 more)

Journal Articles:

See all (47 more)

Professional Memberships:

  • American Society for Neurochemistry, Secretary Elect (2025–present)
  • American Society for Neurochemistry, Member of the Marian Kies Award Committee (2015–present)
  • American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (2013–present)
  • International Society for Neurochemistry (2007–present)
  • Society for Neuroscience (2006–present)
  • American Society for Neurochemistry (2001–present)

Presentations:

  • "Chemogenetic regulation of oligodendrocyte development and myelination" University of Buenos Aires, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (2025)
  • "Astrocytic iron storage and efflux play a central role in neuroinflammation and demyelination" Annual Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry (2024)
  • "Chemogenetic manipulation of glial cell development and function" Winter Conference on Brain Research (2024)
  • "Chemogenetic manipulation of glial cells development and function" University of Buenos Aires, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (2023)
  • "Borrowed Brilliance: Leveling Up Your Leadership" Annual Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry (2023)
  • "The role of ion channels in oligodendrocyte-neuronal interactions" 14th Biennial Great Lakes Glia Meeting (2022)
  • "Modulation of oligodendrocyte development by voltage-operated calcium channels" McGill University, Killam Seminar Series and Neuro Lectures (2022)
  • "The role of calcium channels in oligodendrocyte-neuronal interactions" University of California at Riverside, Division of Biomedical Sciences Seminar Series (2022)
  • "Modulation of oligodendrocyte development by voltage-operated calcium channels" University of California at Riverside, Division of Biomedical Sciences Seminar Series (2021)
  • "Iron metabolism in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, implications for myelination and remyelination" Annual Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry (2021)
  • "The role of voltage-gated Ca++ channels in oligodendrocyte-neuronal interactions" University at Buffalo, Developmental Genomics Group Seminar Series (2020)
  • "Voltage-gated calcium channels in reactive astrocytes, a possible therapeutic target to reduce brain inflammation and promote remyelination in Multiple Sclerosis" University of Buenos Aires, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry Seminar Series (2020)
  • "The function of DMT1, ferritin and transferrin receptor in myelination and remyelination" Annual Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry (2020)
  • "Selective deletion of voltage-gated Ca++ channels in reactive astrocytes attenuate astrogliosis and promote myelin regeneration after demyelination of the mouse brain" University at Buffalo, Developmental Genomics Group Seminar Series (2019)
  • "The role of voltage-gated calcium channels in oligodendrocyte development and myelination" Biennial International Society for Neurochemistry Satellite Meeting on Myelin Biology (2019)
  • "Voltage-gated calcium channels in reactive astrocytes, a possible therapeutic target to reduce brain inflammation and promote remyelination in Multiple Sclerosis" Nantong University, International Academic Forum on Neuroinflammation and Psychopharmacology (2019)
  • "The role of voltage-gated calcium channels in oligodendrocyte development and myelination" CUNY, Advanced Science Research Center, Second Annual Glial Symposium (2018)
  • "The function of glial calcium channels in the development of the central nervous system" Latin American School on Glial Cells, International Brain Research Organization (2017)
  • "The role of voltage-gated calcium channels in oligodendrocyte development and myelination" Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology Seminar Series (2017)
  • "The Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT1) is required for adequate oligodendrocyte progenitor cell maturation and myelination" University at Buffalo, Developmental Genomics Group Seminar Series (2017)
  • "Voltage-gated ion channels and the myelination of the postnatal brain" University of Buenos Aires, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry Seminar Series (2017)
  • "A role for voltage-operated calcium channels in astrocyte activation" University at Buffalo, Developmental Genomics Group Seminar Series (2015)
  • "A role for voltage-operated calcium channels in the development of oligodendrocytes" University at Buffalo, Department of Neurology Seminar Series (2014)
  • "The role of golli-mbp in the development of the central nervous system" University at Buffalo, Developmental Genomics Group Seminar Series (2014)
  • "The role of voltage-operated calcium channels in the myelination of the postnatal brain" McMaster University, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behavior (2014)
  • "Conditional deletion of the L-type calcium channel Cav1.2 in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells delay postnatal myelination in mice" University at Buffalo, Developmental Genomics Group Seminar Series (2013)
  • "Conditional deletion of the L-type calcium channel Cav1.2 in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells delay postnatal myelination in mice" University at Buffalo, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Seminar Series (2013)
  • "Modulation of oligodendrocyte function and myelination by the golli proteins" Annual National Multiple Sclerosis Society Research Forum (2011)
  • "The function of golli proteins in myelination and remyelination" Annual Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry (2011)
  • "Molecular regulation of oligodendrocyte developmen" Annual Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry (2009)
  • "Golli myelin basic proteins regulate oligodendroglial progenitor cell migration through voltage-gated Ca++ influx" University of California at Los Angeles, Department of Neurobiology Seminar Series (2009)
  • "The role of golli proteins in oligodendrocyte development" University of California at Los Angeles, Mental Retardation Research Center Annual Retreat (2008)
  • "The overexpression of human transferrin enhances the differentiation of two oligodendroglial cell lines" Annual Meeting of the Argentine Society for Neurochemistry, Young Investigator Lecture (2005)
See all (23 more)

Service Activities:

  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Standing Member of the Cellular and Molecular Biology of Glia Study Section; Grant Reviewer (2024–present)
  • ; Member of the Faculty Mentoring Committee (2024–present)
  • ; Member of the Graduate Admission Committee, Neuroscience Program (2024–present)
  • ; Member of the Admission Committee for the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences (PPBS) (2021–present)
  • ; Member of the Search Committee for the New Dean of the School of Pharmacy (2020–2021)
  • ; Member of the Committee on Promotions to Academic (Tenurial) Rank (2020–2023)
  • ; Member of the Faculty Council (2016–2022)
  • ASN Neuro; Editorial Board Member (2015–present)
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Biomedical Review Committee; Grant Reviewer (2015–present)
  • ; Member of the Graduate Student Educational Committee (2014–2016)
  • ; Member of the Neuroscience Program at UB (2014–present)
  • ; Member of the Graduate Student Admission Committee (2013–present)
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pilot Glial Committee; Grant Reviewer (2010–2015)

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Contact Information

Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration
NYS Center Of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences
701 Ellicott Street, Room B4-320
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-881-7823
Fax: 716-881-7823
ppaez@buffalo.edu