What We Study

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 that shape together with curiosity, kindness, and a shared commitment to doing meaningful science together. From the outset, we have intentionally built an environment where people can thrive, support one another, and navigate the realities of research as a community.

We believe the best science is shared science. Our team collaborates across disciplines and career stages, working closely with psychologists, chemists, clinicians, biophysicists, engineers, and international partners. 

People are at the centre of everything we do. Research can be exciting, challenging, and unpredictable, so we prioritise open communication, flexible working, and realistic expectations. Asking questions, admitting uncertainty, or seeking support is normal here. We want every person, students, postdocs, technicians, fellows, and visitors, to feel valued and able to grow.

Belonging is core to who we are. We recognise and celebrate the diverse identities and experiences that shape our team. Our daily practices reflect a commitment to equity, accessibility, mental wellbeing, and psychological safety. We believe innovation thrives when people can bring their authentic selves to the table.

Responsibility for our science is a shared value. We document carefully, analyse thoughtfully, and treat mistakes as part of the learning process. We strive for open, reproducible research and contribute to broader initiatives that improve research culture across York and the wider sector. Transparency, accountability, and humility guide our work.

We also believe science should reach beyond the lab. Our team engages in public outreach, science festivals, creative collaborations, and national initiatives supporting early‑career researchers. Working on conditions like dementia motivates us to connect our research with the public and the communities who may one day benefit.

Be curious. Be kind. Work with integrity. Support one another. Ask ambitious questions. Lift your community. And always make science a place where people can 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 proud 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.