Tanya serves as an associate investigator and member of the scientific leadership team, where she leads a research team focused on precision genetic targeting strategies and translational approaches for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and ALS. She also holds an Affiliate Assistant Professor appointment in the Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics at the University of Washington.

Since joining the Allen Institute in 2013, Tanya has helped lead development of the Institute’s viral genetic tools pipeline and major initiatives spanning transgenic technologies, enhancer AAV engineering, and open-access tool development for the neuroscience community. Her work has contributed to next-generation viral tools enabling cell type-specific targeting across mammalian species for both basic neuroscience and potential therapeutic applications.

Prior to joining the Allen Institute, Tanya completed postdoctoral training at Duke University and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT studying genetic mouse models of Parkinson’s disease and psychiatric disorders. She received a BS in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from UC San Diego and a PhD in Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Washington, where she studied cannabinoid and dopamine signaling in addiction-related behaviors.