Dr. Parks's work in developmental neurobiology has provided an influential model of how the brain responds to early deafness. His current research interest is in the neurobiology and genetics of human auditory processing disorders. He is studying how early exposure to sound, and early deafness, affect the development of the brain circuits that support normal hearing. Under his leadership, The Brain Institute has launched collaborative research teams that bring University of Utah scientists, physicians and engineers together with industry and community partners to find better approaches to a wide array of brain disorders including multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and stroke. In 1986, Dr. Parks co-founded NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., using licensed technology developed in his University of Utah laboratory. Now a public company, NPS has brought two drugs to market and has several others in development. Dr. Parks completed his undergraduate work at the University of California, Irvine, and holds a Ph.D. from Yale University. He has been on the faculty at the University of Utah's School of Medicine since 1978. |