FACULTY HIGHLIGHT: CHRISTOPHER GREGG
Dr. Christopher Gregg: Professor of Neurobiology, Adjunct Human Genetics
Christopher Gregg began his research career as an undergraduate student at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, where he studied biochemistry and became fascinated by the molecular basis of life. He completed his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary under the mentorship of Dr. Samuel Weiss, where he investigated neural stem cell biology and regenerative mechanisms in the brain. His graduate work earned the University of Calgary Chancellor’s Graduate Medal and led to the co-founding of a biotechnology company, Stem Cell Therapeutics, which was later taken public.
Following his doctoral studies, Christopher won a Human Frontiers Fellowship and moved to Harvard University to pursue postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Catherine Dulac. There, he developed novel RNA sequencing methods to distinguish maternal and paternal gene expression in the brain, work that earned him the Eppendorf & Science Prize in Neurobiology and recognition by the National Institute of Mental Health as one of the Top 10 Research Advances of the Year.
In 2011, Christopher joined the University of Utah School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Human Genetics, where he established an independent research program integrating genomics, evolution, and neuroscience. He was a NYSCF-Robertson Neuroscience Investigator award. Now a tenured Professor and Benning Presidential Endowed Chair, his laboratory explores how gene regulatory mechanisms shape metabolism, brain function, and naturalistic behavior. His group combines comparative genomics, single-cell multi-omics, CRISPR-based genome editing, artificial intelligence/deep learning, and computational behavioral analysis to uncover conserved genetic circuits that control adaptive capacity and resilience across species. His lab recently discovered genetic elements in the mammalian genome that are linked to hibernation.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Gregg is co-founder of Storyline Health Inc. and Primordial AI, companies that translate biological and behavioral insights into artificial intelligence platforms for scalable precision medicine. His translational work focuses on developing “Algorithms-as-Drugs” — AI technologies that use behavioral and genomic data to optimize treatment and prevention strategies for cancer, mental health, and metabolic disorders. He leads a free online masterclass for cancer patients called Uncharted Health.
Outside of the lab, Christopher is a father, skier/biker, advocate, and stage IV cancer survivor dedicated to making scientific knowledge and precision medicine accessible to everyone.
Research in the Gregg Lab:
The Gregg Lab seeks to uncover the most important gene regulatory mechanisms in the genome and make them useful for improving human health. Using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates comparative genomics, single-cell multi-omics, genome editing, and behavioral machine learning, the lab studies how conserved cis-regulatory elements link metabolism, gene regulation, and behavior. By analyzing genomes of species with extraordinary adaptations—such as hibernators and long-lived mammals—the team identifies conserved genetic elements that shape metabolic flexibility, disease resilience, and decision-making behavior. We create novel deep learning and AI tools for 1) decomposing complex behaviors to understand the genetic basis of complex naturalistic behaviors and 2) translating discoveries in mice to human biology and care. These discoveries are advancing our understanding of how gene regulation influences adaptive biology and are inspiring new AI-based tools for therapeutic discovery and precision medicine.
Read More!!
Cracking the hibernation genetic code
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp4025
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp4701
Solving cancer
