Shannon Knight is a PhD candidate at the MIT McGovern Institute for Brain Research. Her work centers on developing gene therapies for rare genetic disorders, specifically SYNGAP1 haploinsufficiency. This condition impacts brain development and neuronal communication, leading to early-onset seizures in children. Current treatments often struggle to address the condition as patients age, leaving many families without long-term options.
Knight uses CRISPR technology to target the root cause of these disorders at the genetic level. Her recent research on mouse models has shown success in alleviating seizures and behavioral symptoms. She views this work through a lens of empathy, aiming to provide solutions for patient populations that often feel overlooked by traditional medical research.
Her path to this research began during high school after a chance encounter involving a study of the human brain. This experience cemented her interest in molecular neuroscience and genetics. After gaining experience at Harvard and Bowdoin College, she joined the lab of Guoping Feng at MIT. There, she built upon previous research for Phelan-McDermid Syndrome to advance her current study of SYNGAP1.
In addition to her laboratory contributions, Knight maintains a strong commitment to teaching. She served as a teaching assistant for experimental molecular neurobiology and received the 2025 Goodwin Medal for her dedication to student success. She continues to advocate for the importance of research into rare diseases, regardless of the size of the affected population. Her goal is to move these therapies through clinical trials to provide real benefits to families in need.