Matthew W. Kelley, Ph.D.

The overall goals of the Developmental Neuroscience Section are to identify the molecular and cellular factors that play a role in the development of the sensory epithelium of the mammalian cochlea (the organ of Corti). The organ of Corti is comprised of at least 6 distinct cell types that are arranged in highly conserved mosaic. The generation of a specific number of each cell type and the arrangement of these cell types into a regular pattern are essential for the normal perception of sound; however, our understanding of the factors that play a role in the development of this structure is extremely limited.

Dr. Kelley received his B.A. from Cornell University and his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. Following a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Washington, he became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at Georgetown University in 1996. In 2000 he moved to the NIDCD, first as Acting Chief and then (since 2004) as Chief of the Developmental Neuroscience Section. In 2010 he became Chief of the Laboratory of Cochlear Development. Dr. Kelley's laboratory works on the cellular and molecular development of the mammalian cochlea.