Kaela Singleton

Kaela Singleton is a queer Black and Samoan-American developmental neurobiologist whose research focuses on combining different biological approaches to study normal and abnormal neuron and nervous system development. Singleton is a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University and an adjunct professor at the Agnes Scott College biology department. She is a cofounder of the organization Black in Neuro and has been recognized by many different journals as a promising scientist to watch now and in the near future.
== Education ==
Singleton received a Bachelor of Sciences in neuroscience & classical history and culture at Agnes Scott College in 2014. She then earned a PhD within the interdisciplinary program in neuroscience at Georgetown University in 2020. After earning her doctoral degree, Singleton returned to Agnes Scott College as an adjunct professor within the biology department until 2022. Intro bio, foundations of neuro, and diseases of the nervous system.
Since receiving her doctoral degree, Singleton is currently conducting research as a postdoctoral trainee at Emory University.
== Research ==
Kaela Singleton is interested in the general processes of growth and development and the parallels that can be drawn between neurological and character/personal development. Much of her motivations as a scientists stem from wanting to explore the connection of the biological growth processes to an individual's growth as a scientist or mentor.
During graduate school at Georgetown University, Singleton conducted research within the lab of Elena Silva studying brain and neuron development. Specifically, Singleton researched the functionality and regulation of sox genes, specifically sox11, which is transcription factor. Singleton used Xenopus as a model organism to study the various functions of sox11 within neural development.
Singleton is currently conducting postdoctoral research within the Faundez Lab at Emory University mentored by Victor Faundez. Singleton's research is on the different cellular and genetic causes of Menkes disease. She is investigating how, lower levels of copper impacts the proper migration of mitochondria cells to the synapse in disease models.
Singleton is projected to start her own research lab in 2024 where she will continue to investigate both neurotypical and pathological mechanisms of neuron development.
=== Select publications ===
* Singleton, Kaela S.; Murray, De-Shaine R. K.; Dukes, Angeline J.; Richardson, Lietsel N. S. (2021-11-03). A year in review: Are diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives fixing systemic barriers?
* Wynne, M. E., Lane, A. R., Singleton, K. S., Zlatic, S. A., Gokhale, A., Werner, E., Duong, D., Kwong, J. Q., Crocker, A. J., & Faundez, V.. (2021). Heterogeneous Expression of Nuclear Encoded Mitochondrial Genes Distinguishes Inhibitory and Excitatory Neurons.
* Singleton, Kaela S.; Tesfaye, Rackeb; Dominguez, Elena N.; Dukes, Angeline J. (2021-02). An open letter to past, current and future mentors of Black neuroscientists.
* Lee, Chelsea E.; Singleton, Kaela S.; Wallin, Melissa; Faundez, Victor (2020-05-22). Rare Genetic Diseases: Nature's Experiments on Human Development.
* S., Singleton, Kaela (2020). Characterization of SOX11 Partner Proteins and Interaction Domains in Xenopus Neurogenesis
* Singleton, Kaela S.; Faundez, Victor (2021-06-03). Robustness and innovation along the endocytic route: Lessons from darkness.
== Recent Awards and Recognition ==
Year	Award Title 	Affiliation 	Sources
2022	30 Under 30 in Science 	Forbes Magazine 	
2021	Women to Watch 	Neuro Central 	
2020	Outstanding Young Alumnae 	Agnes Scotts College	
2020	1000 Inspiring Black Scientists	Cell Mentor 	
2020	Highlight as LGBTQ+ Scientist 	Nature Magazine 	
=== Fellowships and Funding ===
Year 	Award Title 	Affiliation 	Sources
2021-2024	Burroughs Wellcome Fund 	Postdoctoral Enrichment Program 	
2018-2024	Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award	National Institute of Health (NIH)	
2012-2014	Enhancing Undergraduates in Neuroscience Research Fellowship (ENDURE) 	NINDS 	
== Outreach ==
Kaela Singleton's outreach focuses around increasing the visibility of black and/or queer female neuroscientists. Additionally Singleton has published articles and participated in many panels and workshops that address and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within higher education. Singleton is the co-founder and president-elect of Black in Neuro, a global organization focused on outreach and supporting the diversity of future and current neuroscientists.
Singleton has been profiled in multiple magazines and articles, such as Nature (journal)|Nature, discussing issues in science that both women and members of the LGBTQ+ community face within greater academia.
Category:American people
Category:American neuroscientists