The brain is composed of a remarkably diverse set of neuronal cell types that each play a specific role in supporting brain function. When CNS tissues are damaged by injury or disease, this complex machine becomes dysfunctional, often with limited potential for recovery. A curious phenomenon is that in essentially all neurodegenerative conditions, certain cell types are more affected than others. My lab focuses on understanding what happens to different neuronal populations in neurodegenerative conditions using cutting edge single-cell genomic approaches. Our model of choice is the retina, the most accessible part of the brain, which we use both to study blinding disorders like glaucoma and to study basic mechanisms of degeneration. Our ultimate mission is to identify better targets for therapies that protect neurons from degeneration and stimulate axon regeneration.