Kenneth D. Miller

Professor Kenneth D. Miller is a leading theoretical neuroscientist at Columbia University, holding positions as Professor of Neuroscience at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Principal Investigator at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute. He co-directs both the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience and the Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, and is a member of The Kavli Institute for Brain Science.

Dr. Miller's research focuses on understanding the cerebral cortex through theoretical and computational approaches. His work centers on unraveling cortical circuitry, the developmental rules that shape this circuitry, and the computational functions it performs. A key insight from his research is that fundamental computations in the cortex remain invariant across highly varying input signals. His laboratory has made significant contributions to our understanding of visual cortex, developing influential models like the Stabilized Supralinear Network (SSN) that explain how cortical circuits integrate multiple inputs.

Dr. Miller has published extensively on neural circuit dynamics, with recent work spanning from the geometry of neural state spaces to mechanisms of contextual modulation in visual processing. His publications reveal a consistent focus on mathematical modeling of cortical computation, with applications to both sensory processing and higher cognitive functions.

• Society for Neuroscience Swartz Prize for Theoretical & Computational Neuroscience (2018)

As a mentor and educator, Dr. Miller supervises students through the Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior and teaches courses in theoretical neuroscience. His 'Linear Algebra for Theoretical Neuroscience' notes have become essential resources for students entering the field. With significant funding including a $16.75M BRAIN Initiative grant, his lab continues to advance our understanding of how mathematical models can reveal new intuitions about brain function, bridging the gap between cellular activity and complex cognitive processes.

Dr. Miller's laboratory, the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, bringing together physicists, mathematicians, and neuroscientists to tackle fundamental questions about cortical computation and brain function.