Connor Wander, PhD, is an interdisciplinary scientist with biotech industry drug discovery experience and a passion for advancing research and scientific transparency.  Connor performed his graduate training in the Pharmacology Department at UNC Chapel Hill.  As a co-mentored student between the Cohen and Song Labs at UNC, Connor studied glial biology, adult neurogenesis, and inhibitory neural networks in Alzheimer’s Disease.  His other scientific interests include the interactions between the environment, genetics, and nutrition in neurodegenerative diseases.  

Connor founded Straight from a Scientist (SFS), a science communication website connecting people directly with scientists via podcasts, blog posts, infographics, and adobe-based web games.

Learn more at: https://www.straightfromascientist.com

Outside of the lab, Connor enjoys hobbies such as graphic design, balcony gardening, gaming, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, paintball and caring for his bearded dragons.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Biology & Biochemistry Dual Major BA '14, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Pharmacology PhD '21, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Neuropharmacologist, Science Communicator & Scientific Consultant