Neuronal signalling & cytoskeletal dynamics

We explore how signalling pathways (e.g., GSK3β) control neuronal morphology and function, and how cytoskeletal organisation supports healthy brain development and maintenance.

Mechanisms of dementia & neurofibromatosis

From Alzheimer’s‑relevant pathways to Neurofibromatosis I, we interrogate cellular mechanisms using cutting‑edge tools (optogenetic probes, biosensors, peptide inhibitors) and connect cellular readouts to physiology.

From molecules to systems

We integrate live‑cell imaging, biophysics, Drosophila assays, and mammalian cellular models to bridge scales—from molecular events to neuronal function and behaviour.

The Hahn Lab is a place we shape together, with curiosity, kindness, and a shared commitment to doing meaningful science. From the beginning, we’ve tried to build an environment where people can grow, support each other, and navigate the ups and downs of research as a team.

We believe science works best when it’s shared. Our group collaborates widely, bringing together people from psychology, chemistry, biophysics, engineering, clinical research, and partners across the world. Everyone contributes something unique, and the mix of perspectives is part of what keeps our work exciting.

People sit at the heart of our lab. Research can be energising, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming, so we value open communication, flexibility, and honest expectations. Asking questions, not knowing something, or reaching out for help is completely normal here. Whether you’re a student, postdoc, technician, fellow, or visitor, you should feel like you belong and have space to grow.

Belonging really matters to us. We recognise and appreciate the different identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape our team. Day to day, we try to build a culture that prioritises equity, accessibility, mental wellbeing, and psychological safety. We know that people do their best work when they can be themselves.

We also share responsibility for the science we do. We aim to document carefully, analyse thoughtfully, and treat mistakes as part of learning rather than something to hide. We care about open, reproducible research and take part in efforts across York and beyond to improve research culture. Transparency, accountability, and humility guide the way we work.

And our science doesn’t stay within the lab. We enjoy taking part in outreach, festivals, creative projects, and initiatives that support early‑career researchers. Studying conditions like dementia motivates us to stay connected with the public and with communities who may eventually benefit from what we do.

Be curious. Be kind. Work with integrity. Support each other. Ask big questions. Lift your community. And help make science a place where people can genuinely thrive.

The Hahn Lab is part of the Department of Biology at the University of York, within the York Biomedical Research Institute (YBRI), a vibrant interdisciplinary research hub bringing together scientists across biology, medicine, chemistry, physics, psychology and related fields. YBRI supports world‑class biomedical research by fostering collaboration, providing cutting‑edge facilities, and nurturing an environment where early‑career and established researchers work side by side to tackle fundamental scientific and health‑related questions.

The University of York is a research‑intensive, internationally recognised institution and a member of the Russell Group. York’s strengths span the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, with biological and biomedical sciences consistently ranked among the strongest in the UK. The university maintains a long‑standing commitment to research excellence, open science, and interdisciplinary discovery, with a collaborative culture that supports ambitious research programmes like ours.

Just as importantly, York is known for being a supportive and inclusive place to learn and work. The university fosters a welcoming atmosphere grounded in respect, equity, and wellbeing. It holds multiple Athena Swan awards, recognising its commitment to gender equality in higher education, and has strong networks for mental health support, EDI initiatives, and researcher development. 

York is a city of history, character, and creativity, compact, friendly, and full of life. With its cobbled streets, medieval walls, independent shops, museums, cafés, bookshops, and world‑class heritage sites, York offers an environment that is both inspiring and livable. 

Home to over 200,000 people from all around the world, York is well known for its welcoming atmosphere and its vibrant mix of arts, festivals, theatre, and food culture. The city regularly appears in rankings of the UK’s best places to live, thanks to its quality of life, safety, and community feel. From riverside walks to cosy pubs, from bustling markets to quiet green spaces, York offers something for everyone.

York’s surroundings add even more to its appeal. The North York Moors, Howardian Hills, and the Yorkshire Dales National Park are all within reach, offering fantastic opportunities for walking, cycling, and exploring some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. Whether you prefer peaceful nature, historic architecture, or lively cultural events, York offers an exceptional balance of work and life.

For many of us in the lab, this blend of history, culture, green space, and community is one of the things we value most about living and working here, and it plays a big part in why York feels like home.