Brooke Wynalda (they/she) joined the Allen Institute for Brain Science Human Cell Types Group as a Research Associate I on the Human Gene Therapy Team in April of 2022. On the Gene Therapy work focused on adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector engineering as targeted therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative diseases in preclinical mouse models. In September of 2023 Brooke joined the Molecular Genetic Tools Team developing a suite of tools that provides unique access to cell types in the mouse brain with the ability to target and manipulate specific neuronal populations and study neural circuitry of complex behaviors in a cell type specific manner.

Before working at the Allen Institute, Brooke graduated in June 2021 from Seattle University, with a B.S. in Biology and minors in English and Philosophy. During their undergraduate career, Brooke participated in a wide variety of research projects, but fell in love with molecular genetics while studying the impact of a sulfur transporter knockout in Arabidopsis thaliana as part of the Zanis Lab. After graduating they continued their work in the Zanis Lab as a National Science Foundation Research Fellow, pivoting toward viral disease evolution and ecology as they investigated the role of selfish genetic elements within the genomes of viruses that infect freshwater algae in the greater Seattle area.

In all of their work, Brooke hopes that they can stay committed to building a more diverse, equitable, inclusive and compassionate scientific community. Currently, they serve as co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group and are committed to continuing a legacy of accessibility and belonging in science.