Dr. Schaefer's research focuses on identifying the epigenetic basis of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. She is studying how miRNAs and histone modifying enzymes contribute to the establishment and maintenance of neuronal identity and specialized functions. She is particularly interested in understanding the epigenetic mechanisms of cellular plasticity and its role in regulation of microglia-neuron communication. One of the major focuses of her research lies in the development of animal models of human neurological disease associated with abnormal function of epigenetic regulators of different types. Using pioneering technologies including cell type specific analysis of mRNAs, miRNAs and chromatin modifications in neurons in vivo, her research aims at understanding the mechanism of neurological disorders and at their potential treatment by targeting the neuronal epigenome.