Dr. Anderson’s research focuses on the neurodevelopmental disorders epilepsy, autism, and schizophrenia. These studies primarily involve the use of human stem cell-derived neurons, blood brain barrier neurovascular cells, astrocytes and microglia, often grown in multicellular  "carpet cultures." An emphasis in the Anderson lab is the study of mitochondria, their influences on blood brain barrier integrity as well as synaptic transmission at the cellular level, and their influences on the development of autism and schizophrenia on the level of young people. They are also studying the potential for enhancers of mitochondrial  function as novel treatment or prevention opportunities for the development of schizophrenia in the context of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.