Michael C. Crair

Michael C. Crair is the William Ziegler III Professor of Neuroscience and Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Science at Yale University, where he also serves as Vice Provost for Research. He holds primary appointments in the Department of Neuroscience and secondary appointments in Ophthalmology & Visual Science, with additional affiliations across multiple neuroscience programs including the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Swartz Program in Theoretical Neurobiology, Wu Tsai Institute, and Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS).

Dr. Crair's educational background includes:

• PhD in Physics from University of California, Berkeley (1991)
• MA in Physics from University of California, Berkeley (1987)
• AB in Physics from University of California, Berkeley (1985)
• Postdoctoral training in physics and neuroscience at Kyoto University and Kyoto Prefectural Medical School (1993)
• Postdoctoral training in neuroscience at University of California, San Francisco (1997)

His research focuses on neural activity in the developing brain, with particular emphasis on how spontaneous neuronal activity contributes to normal brain development. Dr. Crair has made fundamental contributions to understanding brain circuit development through the development and application of advanced imaging techniques. His laboratory investigates the mechanisms by which spontaneous activity is generated and how it shapes brain circuit development, with specific interests in visual system development and neural plasticity.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on neural connectivity, spontaneous activity patterns, and imaging methodologies. His work spans multiple model systems and employs cutting-edge techniques including fMRI, calcium imaging, and dual-modal imaging approaches to study brain development and function at various scales.

Dr. Crair has received numerous honors including:

• Esther A. and Joseph Klingenstein Foundation Fellowship Award in the Neurosciences
• Marc Dresden Excellence in Graduate Education Award
• NARSAD-Sidney R. Baer Jr. Foundation Young Investigator Award
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellow
• John Merck Fund Scholar
• March of Dimes Foundation's Basil O'Connor Fellow

Administratively, Dr. Crair has directed Yale's Vision Core Program and the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. He served as Deputy Chair of the Department of Neuroscience from 2015-2017, then as Deputy Dean for Scientific Affairs (Basic Science Departments) at the School of Medicine from 2017-2020 before becoming Vice Provost for Research at Yale University. His laboratory continues to maintain an active research program examining fundamental mechanisms of brain circuit development.