About
Dr. Iascone received his BA from the University of Pennsylvania in 2013. He did his PhD at Columbia University with Dr. Franck Polleux, developing tools to create the first complete synaptic maps of pyramidal neurons. He received funding for this work through an F31 NRSA awarded by NINDS. Dan completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania/HHMI with Dr. Amita Sehgal, investigating crosstalk between circadian rhythms and metabolism in obesity and cancer. During this time Dan was funded by an F32 NRSA and K99/R00 awarded by the NIMH BRAIN Initiative and NIDDK respectively. Dr. Iascone joined the Department of Biological Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2026.
Ph.D. Columbia University, 2020 - Neurobiology & Behavior
B.S. University of Pennsylvania, 2013 - Cognitive Neuroscience
Postdoctoral Research & Training
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania/HHMI, 2020-2026 - Chronobiology
Research
In the brain, neuronal health and function rely upon a vast network of metabolic interactions with glia. These pathways, which execute an adaptive balance of anabolic support and waste processing, must be precisely timed to prevent long-term degeneration. The goal of my lab is to discover how the timing of neuron-glia metabolic coupling is controlled by sleep and the circadian clock, and how disruption of these processes contributes to aging/disease.
Recognition
2017 National Research Service Award, NIH NINDS – F31
2020 National Research Service Award, NIH NIMH BRAIN Initiative – F32
2025 K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, NIH NIDDK
2026 Simons Empire Faculty Fellow in Neuroscience
Publications
The following is a selection of recent publications in Scopus. Dan Iascone has 15 indexed publications in the subjects of Medicine, Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology.