Seeing the Brain Differently: The Suli Lab’s Approach to Neurodiversity

Deep inside the brain lies a small but powerful structure responsible for integrating the input we receive from our senses and transforming them into coherent action. In humans, it’s the superior colliculus (SC); in zebrafish, it’s the optic tectum. At BYU, Arminda Suli’s lab is unraveling how disruptions in this structure during development may influence autism spectrum disorder, which affects millions worldwide but remains only partly understood at the molecular and cellular level. Exploring how oxidative stress can influence early brain development, sensory integration, and behavior fosters deeper compassion and acceptance for neurodiverse populations in students working in the Suli Lab.

Photo by Tanner Frost

Kevin Gray (MS ‘26, NEURO) feels passionate about the work being done in the Suli Lab. “Our brains are magnificent structures,” Gray shares. “Neuroscience gives you a fresh outlook on the diversity of the human experience. Our goal is really to understand, rather than cure.” In humans, the SC acts as an important center for sensory processing and behavioral responses. Because of these functions, the SC is associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder. However, its central location within the brain makes it difficult to study directly in humans.

To address this challenge, the lab uses zebrafish as an animal model. “Zebrafish have an optic tectum, a structure similar in development and function to the human SC, making them a suitable model for our research,” Gray explains. “Additionally, zebrafish are accessible during early developmental stages, which makes them an excellent candidate for studying brain development.”

Among other projects in the lab, Gray focuses on how oxidative state influences the development of the optic tectum and behavior. Exposing genetically modified zebrafish that express the nitroreductase gene in the optic tectum to the otherwise non-reactive compound, metronidazole, Gray is able to induce oxidative stress in the targeted cells. Nitroreductase therefore converts metronidazole into a reactive intermediate that generates controlled reactive oxygen species in the optic tectum neurons without causing widespread cell death. The lab is then able to directly examine how the oxidative state affects optic tectum development and function. This examination includes behavioral tests to observe changes in activity levels, anxiety, predator avoidance, and hunting behaviors. “We expect to see increased hyperactivity and anxiety, along with deficits in predator avoidance and hunting behaviors,” Gray shares. Most excitingly, the team is hoping to explore whether mitigating the effect of reactive oxygen species balance can reverse some of the behavioral changes induced by an imbalance.

Photo by Tanner Frost

For Suli, both the scientific research and the opportunity to work alongside her students is a source of immense fulfillment. “I’m amazed and humbled by how different we all are,” she shares. “It would be very sad if everybody thought the same way. We all think slightly differently, and we bring different viewpoints to life, which makes living more exciting.” For those interested in joining the Suli Lab and contributing to its empathy-driven research, Suli offers words of encouragement: “Get involved with research! It’s a unique opportunity to grow not only in critical thinking but also in life skills such as resilience, problem-solving, and finding beauty in everything you do.”

The Suli Lab’s work demonstrates that research can illuminate more than just the mechanics of the brain; it can deepen our appreciation for the vast spectrum of human experience. By blending science with compassion, the lab is helping to shape a world where differences are celebrated.