Darwin K. Berg

Darwin Berg’s research helped elucidate the role of endogenous nicotinic cholinergic signalling in guiding early brain development in ways critical for subsequent function in the adult.  He demonstrated that even transitory nicotine exposure during early postnatal life can abort this process and have long-lasting consequences.  His findings, at the molecular level, reveal multi-layered patterns of activity-dependent regulation in neural development.  Berg grew up on a ranch in northern Idaho, attended Deep Springs College, received a PhD from UC Berkeley, and did postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School. He has been on the faculty at UC San Diego for 40+ years.