Prof. Shatz is one of the first researchers to elucidate the basic principles of early brain development. She found that the spontaneous activity of neurons in utero is critical for the formation of precise and orderly neural connections in the central nervous system. Her recent work shows that waves of spontaneous activity in the retina can alter gene expression and the strength of synaptic connections. The Shatz lab discovered that genes of the major histocompatibility (MHC) Class I family are regulated by neural activity, a surprising finding because these genes—HLA genes in humans—are involved in cellular immunity and were previously not thought to be expressed by neurons in the healthy brain. Shatz is exploring a role for these molecules in synaptic plasticity, learning, memory, and neurological disorders. Her research has relevance not only for understanding brain wiring and developmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, but also for understanding how the nervous and immune systems interact.

Shatz has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine and the American Philosophical Society. She currently serves as a member of the National Institute of Mental Health Advisory Council. Her many honors include the Society for Neuroscience Young Investigator Award, the Silvo Conte Award from the National Foundation for Brain Research, the Charles A. Dana Award for Pioneering Achievement in Health and Education, the Weizmann Women & Science Award and an Honorary Degree from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. She is the inaugural chair holder of The Sapp Family Provostial Professorship at Stanford.