Helen Willsey, PhD

The Willsey Lab at UCSF focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms that drive autism spectrum disorder and its frequently co-occurring conditions. Our lab investigates how diverse autism-associated genes, many of which display striking pleiotropy, converge on shared biological pathways during development. We use Xenopus and human cell culture models to identify points of convergence among seemingly unrelated genetic risk factors, revealing common molecular mechanisms that contribute not only to autism but also to its comorbidities, including congenital heart disease and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Our approach integrates high-throughput functional genomics, live imaging, and in vivo perturbation to map the developmental trajectories altered by neurodevelopmental risk genes. By resolving the complexity introduced by genetic pleiotropy, we aim to define actionable entry points for therapeutic discovery. We're passionate about advancing both fundamental neuroscience and translational insight, while also mentoring the next generation of scientists. If you’re interested in collaboration, mentorship, or learning more about our work, feel free to connect.