Mason Kleinjan

Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School
B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota

My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular mechanisms underpinning learning and memory. Following three years of teaching in UND’s anatomy program, I entered the doctoral program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School. There, in the Department of Pharmacology, I investigated cellular and molecular processes involved in hippocampal memory. Later, as a postdoctoral researcher in UC Anschutz’s Department of Molecular Medicine, I continued my exploration of the molecular foundations of memory. These experiences culminated in my role as an educator at the UC Denver downtown campus, where I am excited to foster scientific curiosity in my students and integrate my research background into impactful teaching.

Kleinjan MS, Buchta WC, Ogelman R, et al. Dually innervated dendritic spines develop in the absence of excitatory activity and resist plasticity through tonic inhibitory crosstalk. Neuron. 2022;111(3):362-371.e6. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2022.11.002

Olah SS, Kareemo DJ,… Kleinjan MS, et al. Acute reorganization of postsynaptic GABAA receptors reveals the functional impact of molecular nanoarchitecture at inhibitory synapses. Cell Reports. 2023;42(11):113331. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113331

Bourke AM, Schwartz SL, Bowen AB, Kleinjan MS, et al. zapERtrap: A light-regulated ER release system reveals unexpected neuronal tra

Marwarha G, Rostad S, Lilek J, Kleinjan MS, Schommer J, Ghribi O. Palmitate Increases β-site AβPP-Cleavage Enzyme 1 Activity and Amyloid-β Genesis by Evoking Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Subsequent C/EBP Homologous Protein Activation. Journal of Alzheimer S Disease. 2017;57(3):907-925. doi:10.3233/jad-161130

BIOL 3832: General Genetics - Fall and Summer Semester
PSYC 3832: Neural Basis of Learning - Fall Semester
PSYC 3265: Drugs, Brain and Behavior - Spring Semester
PSYC 4054: Behavioral Neuroscience – Fall, Spring and Summer Semester