Find Academic Supervisors

Laura Ann EwellView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Epilepsy
• Hippocampal Function
• +3 more

Laura Ann Ewell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine. Her research focuses on understanding how neural circuits in the hippocampus and cerebellum process information, particularly in the context of neurological disorders like epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. She investigates mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits, including disrupted spatial memory and pattern separation, and develops tools for monitoring neural activity in vivo. Her work combines electrophysiological recordings, computational modeling, and behavioral assays to study how pathological conditions alter neural coding. Notable contributions include elucidating the role of dentate gyrus circuitry in pattern separation after brain injury and identifying aberrant dendritic excitability as a target for treating epilepsy-related memory impairments. She also pioneered low-cost platforms for multianimal seizure monitoring. Ewell collaborates on projects involving hippocampal and cerebellar dysfunction, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to bridge cellular, network, and behavioral levels of analysis. Her studies emphasize translational relevance, aiming to inform therapeutic strategies for cognitive comorbidities in neurological diseases.

Michael HasselmoView profile

Professor

• Computational Neuroscience
• Hippocampal Function
• Theta Rhythms
• +2 more

Michael Hasselmo is Professor and Director of the Center for Systems Neuroscience at Boston University. His research investigates neural mechanisms of memory using neurophysiological recordings and computational modeling, focusing on hippocampal-entorhinal circuits. Core research areas: Theta rhythm dynamics in memory encoding Grid cell spatial representations Neuromodulatory influences on cognition Egocentric-allocentric coordinate transformations Publications demonstrate innovative approaches to understanding memory circuits, with recent work on boundary vector cells, neural manifolds for spatiotemporal coding, and pathological mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease. Major honors: Elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences Hebb Award from International Neural Network Society ONR MURI awards for collaborative neuroscience The Computational Neurophysiology Laboratory develops biologically realistic models of cognitive function with NIH and ONR support.

Michela GallagherView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Aging Research
• Neurobiology
• +3 more

Michela Gallagher is the Krieger-Eisenhower Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University's Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. She leads the Neurogenetics and Behavior Center, focusing on translational research in neurocognitive aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and hippocampal dysfunction. Her work combines rodent models with human clinical trials, emphasizing the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in aging. Supported by NIH grants and stimulus funds, her research informs drug development and cognitive intervention strategies. Key Affiliations: Neurogenetics and Behavior Center, Solomon Snyder Department of Neuroscience Research Themes: Hippocampal hyperactivity in MCI, translational drug discovery, and successful aging mechanisms Her studies investigate neural mechanisms underlying cognitive decline, with a focus on treatments like AGB101 and levetiracetam to reduce hippocampal overactivity. She has pioneered high-throughput behavioral phenotyping in genetically diverse mice, advancing understanding of age-related neural variability. Notable Awards: Goodes Prize (2018), Mika Salpeter Lifetime Achievement Award (2014), Gantt Medal (2017) Grants: Over 20 years of NIH NIA support; Grand Opportunity Award (ARRA 2009); NINDS collaborations Lab Infrastructure: State-of-the-art facilities for cognitive, affective, and sensorimotor behavioral testing in rodents Current Projects: HOPE4MCI clinical trial; proteomic studies of aging-related protein changes; schizophrenia models using ketamine

Alex KeinathView profile

Assistant Professor

• Episodic Memory
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Spatial Navigation
• +5 more

Dr. Alex Keinath is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying episodic memory and spatial navigation. She employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining techniques such as high-yield miniscope calcium imaging in mice, immersive virtual reality experiments in humans, and computational modeling to study brain function. Education: Postdoctoral work at McGill University (Montreal, Canada) PhD in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania BS/BA in Psychology and Philosophy (minor in Neural Computation) from Carnegie Mellon University Research Interests: Dr. Keinath's lab investigates how the brain encodes spatial information, navigates environments, and retrieves contextual memories. Key topics include hippocampal coding dynamics, neural representations during fear discrimination, and the impact of environmental changes on spatial cognition. Her work bridges animal models (mice) and human studies using advanced imaging and behavioral paradigms. Advising & Grants: Dr. Keinath is actively reviewing applications for doctoral students starting Fall 2024. Her lab emphasizes collaborative research, with a focus on training students in experimental design and computational neuroscience methods. While specific grants are not listed here, her work aligns with NIH priorities in cognitive and systems neuroscience. Labs/Teams: The Keinath Lab at UIC collaborates with institutions like McGill University and leverages cutting-edge technologies (e.g., miniscope imaging) to study neural circuits underlying navigation and memory. Current projects explore how context influences fear expression and spatial reorientation mechanisms.

Alexander FleischmannView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Olfactory System
• Sensory Perception
• +6 more

Alexander Fleischmann is the Provost's Professor of Brain Science at Brown University's Neuroscience Department, joining in January 2018. His research focuses on neural circuit mechanisms underlying sensory perception and behavior, particularly in the mouse olfactory cortex. Using molecular genetics, in vivo imaging, and computational approaches, his lab investigates odor information coding, cortical network functions, and the impact of learning on neural circuits. Key research interests include stochastic coding in olfactory systems, epigenetic regulation of neuronal diversity, and evolutionary signatures in neural cell types. Fleischmann advocates for neuroscience data standardization through initiatives like Neurodata Without Borders. His work bridges molecular, systems, and translational neuroscience, with recent studies exploring cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for neurological conditions like Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. Publications highlight innovations in neuroimaging (e.g., GRIN lens-based microendoscopy) and groundbreaking insights into olfactory receptor choice mechanisms. His lab's interdisciplinary methods enable exploration of how cortical circuits integrate sensory, spatial, and behavioral information. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though his work contributes to foundational neuroscience knowledge. He advises no listed students, focusing primarily on collaborative research and grant-funded projects. Laboratory activities emphasize cutting-edge techniques such as single-cell genomics and 3D spatial transcriptomics to uncover molecular pathways in olfactory systems. His work aims to advance understanding of neural circuitry's role in health and disease, with clinical implications for neurological diagnostics and treatment.

Dani S. BassettView profile

Professor

• Network Science
• Neuroscience
• Complex Systems
• +4 more

Professor Dani S. Bassett is the J. Peter Skirkanich Professor at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science, holding primary and secondary appointments across multiple departments including Bioengineering, Physics & Astronomy, Neurology, and Psychology. She leads the Complex Systems Lab, focusing on network science applied to brain systems and physical materials. Education: B.S. in Physics (Penn State, 2004); Ph.D. in Physics (University of Cambridge, 2009) as a Churchill Scholar and NIH Health Sciences Scholar. Postdoctoral work at UC Santa Barbara and Sage Center for the Study of the Mind. Research integrates network theory, statistical mechanics, and applied mathematics to study brain networks and granular materials. Key areas include neuroplasticity, cognitive dynamics, disease mechanisms (Alzheimer's, schizophrenia), and network control theory. Her work bridges physical systems (e.g., granular matter dynamics) and biological systems (e.g., brain connectivity development). Awarded over 300 publications (33,000+ citations), major honors include the MacArthur 'Genius' Fellowship and Sloan Research Fellowship. Supported by NSF, NIH, DoD, and private foundations. Co-authored Curious Minds (MIT Press, 2022) exploring curiosity through network science and philosophy. Labs/Teams: Complex Systems Lab at UPenn, collaborating with interdisciplinary researchers. Current projects investigate dynamic network properties in brain disorders, developmental connectivity, and network-based interventions.

Hua HuView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroscience
• Synaptic Physiology
• Neuronal Communication
• +6 more

Hua Hu is an Associate Professor at the University of Oslo, affiliated with the Department of Molecular Medicine and the Laboratory of Synaptic Physiology. Their research focuses on understanding synaptic communication mechanisms in healthy and diseased brains, employing advanced electrophysiological techniques, imaging, and computational modeling. Key projects include functional analysis of cortical interneuron axons and dendritic computation in the medial entorhinal cortex, particularly how grid cells process spatial navigation signals. Research interests center on inhibitory interneuron roles in microcircuit functions, high-frequency oscillations, and synaptic signaling precision. Their work has been published in top-tier journals like Neuron, Nature Communications, and Science. No formal awards are listed, though their contributions to synaptic physiology are evident through impactful publications. Advising activities and student supervision details are not explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. The laboratory is part of a broader research environment exploring synaptic physiology, with ongoing projects on transplanted brain organoids.

• Neuroscience
• Neuroanatomy
• Electrophysiology
• +4 more

Jan Sigurd Blackstad is a researcher and special advisor at the Norwegian Centre for Headache Research, affiliated with the Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science at NTNU. He holds a doctoral degree from NTNU and has academic ties to the University of Oslo, where he completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in molecular biosciences and contributed to studies on perineuronal nets. His research focuses on hippocampal anatomy, electrophysiology, and spatial representations in mammals. Education: Bachelor’s/Master’s in Molecular Biosciences (University of Oslo), PhD in Neuroscience (NTNU) His research interests center on hippocampal structure-function relationships, including comparative anatomy of the dentate-ammonic region, electrophysiological mechanisms of spatial navigation, and the role of perineuronal nets in stabilizing neural networks. He has explored these topics through investigations in rats, sheep, pigs, and mink. His publications highlight contributions to understanding hippocampal subregions’ architecture, task-dependent neural activity in the subiculum, and the stabilization of grid cell networks. He has presented findings at conferences such as the Nordic Neuroscience Meeting and the Scandinavian Physiological Society. Awards: None explicitly stated in text In his advisory role, he supports research applications and growth initiatives at the Norwegian Centre for Headache Research. He collaborates with groups like the Moser Lab (Kavli Institute) and the Neural Systems Group, contributing to interdisciplinary projects. Labs/Teams: Norwegian Centre for Headache Research, Moser Group (Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience), and the Fyhn Group (Centre for Integrative Neuroplasticity).

• Neuroscience
• Cortical Microcircuits
• Inhibitory GABAergic Circuits
• +12 more

Michael J Higley is Professor of Neuroscience and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. He is a member of the Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair (CNNR) and the Wu Tsai Institute, and serves as Associate Director of the MD-PhD Program. Department of Neuroscience – Primary Department of Biomedical Engineering – Secondary Department of Psychiatry – Secondary Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program Kavli Institute for Neuroscience Wu Tsai Institute Education: BA, Cornell University, 1998 PhD, University of Pennsylvania, 2007 MD, University of Pennsylvania, 2007 Postdoctoral Fellow, Sabatini Lab, Harvard Medical School Dr. Higley's research centers on the development, function, and plasticity of inhibitory GABAergic circuits in the neocortex. He investigates how the balance between excitation and inhibition is maintained by diverse interneuron subtypes, particularly somatostatin-expressing cells, and how neuromodulators like acetylcholine and norepinephrine regulate cortical dynamics. His work also explores cortical microcircuits in visually-guided behavior and models of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia using genetic and viral tools. His recent publications (2020–2024) highlight advancements in mesoscopic and two-photon imaging, functional connectivity analysis, and the development of novel optical tools. These works reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach combining neuroscience, engineering, and computational methods to understand large-scale brain dynamics and behavior. Scientific Awards: NIH Director's Pioneer Award Whitman Fellowship Inaugural Spector Award for Junior Neuroscientists Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Award NARSAD Young Investigator Award Sloan Research Fellowship Klingenstein Fellowship Dr. Higley leads an active research program with significant grant support and collaborative ties with prominent neuroscientists including Jessica Cardin, Michael Crair, and others. He mentors trainees and contributes to academic leadership through his role in the MD-PhD Program. His lab develops and applies cutting-edge technologies to probe cortical circuits in health and disease. Laboratory: Higley Lab, located at 100 College Street, Room 1020, New Haven, CT. The lab utilizes advanced techniques including in vivo imaging, optogenetics, electrophysiology, and viral vector strategies to study cortical function and dysfunction.

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuropsychiatry
• +12 more

Dibyadeep Datta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine , where he conducts cutting-edge research on the neurobiological basis of cognitive dysfunction in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. His work bridges molecular neuroscience, systems-level analysis, and translational models to uncover disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets. His research focuses on: Cellular and circuit-level impairments in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe Role of calcium dysregulation, tau pathology, and neuroinflammation in cognitive decline Genetic and molecular drivers of synaptic dysfunction Development of circuit-based and pharmacological interventions Datta employs multidisciplinary approaches including molecular neurobiology, multi-OMICS, and primate models to study higher-order cognition. His recent publications (2024–2025) reveal novel insights into calcium interactomes, early tau propagation, and NMDAR dysfunction in vulnerable cortical neurons. Notable scientific recognitions include: 2024 Society of Biological Psychiatry Travel Fellowship Award YCCI Scholar Award Datta has mentored and collaborated extensively with leading researchers such as Amy Arnsten, Yury Morozov, Christopher van Dyck, Alvaro Duque, and Juan Arellano . His research is highly collaborative and supported by institutional resources at Yale. He is a member of the Janeway Society, reflecting his commitment to physician-scientist development. Based at the Sterling Hall of Medicine, he continues to advance translational neuroscience with a focus on bridging bench findings to clinical applications.

Apoorva BhandariView profile

Assistant Professor

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Computational Modeling
• Neural Representations
• +6 more

Apoorva Bhandari is an Assistant Professor (Research) at Brown University's Department of Cognitive, Linguistic & Psychological Sciences. His work focuses on the neural and computational mechanisms underlying flexible cognition, including fluid intelligence, social decision-making, and cognitive control. Education: PhD (2013) and MSc (2008) from University of Cambridge and University of Edinburgh, respectively. Research: Integrates behavioral methods, fMRI, and machine learning to study neural representational geometry and its role in cognition. Collaborators: David Badre, Oriel FeldmanHall, and Matt Nassar. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned.

• Epilepsy Surgery
• Clinical Epileptology
• Central Neurophysiology
• +12 more

Barbara C. Jobst, MD, PhD, is a Professor and Chair of Neurology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, where she also serves as the Louis and Ruth Frank Endowed Professor of Neurosciences. She is Section Chief in the Adult Neurology Department at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Director of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Epilepsy Center, and Director of the Epilepsy and Cognition (ECog) Lab. Her leadership extends to national roles, including Chair of the American Epilepsy Society meeting and editorial board membership for Neurology and Epilepsy . Education: B.S., 1986 M.D., 1993 Dr.med (German PhD equivalent), 1995 Her research focuses on clinical epileptology, central neurophysiology, epilepsy surgery, brain stimulation, human cortical electrophysiology, and the electrophysiological correlates of cognition. She is particularly known for her work on responsive neurostimulation and cognitive deficits in epilepsy. Her clinical interests include the treatment of cognitive disability in epilepsy patients and imaging in epilepsy. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in memory, cognition, and neuromodulation in epilepsy. Her work integrates intracranial electrophysiology with closed-loop brain stimulation to improve memory and cognitive function, often using the RNS System. These studies span basic neural mechanisms, translational models, and public health applications, particularly through the CDC-funded Managing Epilepsy Well Network. Scientific Awards and Honors: Louis and Ruth Frank Endowed Professor of Neurosciences Graduate, Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Board of Trustees, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Dr. Jobst has been a principal investigator on multiple major grants, including from the NIH, CDC, DARPA, and Neuropace Inc. She mentors several trainees, including Stephen Meisenhelter, Ashlee Robbins, and Robert Quon. She has led the development of the HOBSCOTCH cognitive-behavioral program for memory problems in epilepsy and has established several clinical and research programs at DHMC, such as the Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring Program and the Women’s Seizure Clinic. She leads the Epilepsy and Cognition (ECog) Lab at DHMC, which conducts translational research using human intracranial recordings and neurostimulation to study memory and cognition. Her team is actively involved in multi-center clinical trials and public health initiatives focused on epilepsy self-management and cognitive outcomes.

• Molecular Psychiatry
• Neuroproteomics
• Dopamine Signaling
• +4 more

Angus Nairn is the Charles B.G. Murphy Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine , with a secondary appointment in Pharmacology . He co-directs the Yale/NIDA Neuroproteomics Center and holds affiliations with the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program . Education: PhD in Muscle Biochemistry (University of Birmingham, 1979); Postdoctoral in Molecular Neuroscience (Yale University) His research focuses on dopamine-regulated signal transduction in striatal neurons, particularly through phosphoproteins like DARPP-32 , RCS , and ARPP-16 . He investigates their roles in schizophrenia , addiction , and neurodegenerative diseases using biochemical , molecular , and mouse knockout models . Recent publications highlight his work on subcellular proteomics in Alzheimer’s disease, multi-omic PTSD studies , and computational methods for analyzing neuroproteomic data. Collaborations with TuKiet Lam and Marina Picciotto emphasize translational approaches to neurodegeneration and addiction. His lab develops techniques for single-cell proteomics and CSF biomarker discovery , including projects on tau hyperphosphorylation and mitochondrial metabolism . No formal awards or student advisement details were explicitly stated.

• Neurodidactics
• Neuroscience Education
• Nervous System Understanding in Students
• +5 more

Pål Kvello is an Associate Professor at the Department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He leads the Neurodidactics research group focused on neuroscience education and understanding how students conceptualize the nervous system. His educational background includes a master's and doctorate in biology from NTNU, where he studied insect nervous systems under Dr. Hanna Mustaparta. He completed post-doctoral work at UC Berkeley with Dr. Kristin Scott studying fruit fly taste neurons, and later at the Kavli Institute for Neuroscience with Dr. Menno Witter learning electrophysiology techniques to study neural networks in rodents. Kvello's research interests center on neurodidactics - the application of neuroscience knowledge to educational contexts. His work investigates how students understand fundamental aspects of the nervous system, identifying essential knowledge for secondary science education. He has developed educational tools to help students build accurate mental models of neural networks and brain function. Earlier in his career, he conducted significant research on insect neurobiology, particularly taste processing in moths and fruit flies. His publication record shows a clear transition from basic neuroscience research on insect sensory systems to educational neuroscience. Recent publications focus on mapping student conceptions of the nervous system, identifying essential knowledge for teaching, and comparing instructional methods in science education. His earlier work includes detailed neural mapping studies of olfactory and gustatory pathways in moths. As leader of the Neurodidactics group, Kvello develops educational approaches that bridge neuroscience research and classroom practice. His work has practical implications for improving how the nervous system is taught in schools, helping students overcome common misconceptions and develop more accurate scientific understanding.

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Alzheimer's Disease Research
• +9 more

Dr. Motoharu Yoshida is a Group Leader at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Magdeburg, Germany. His research focuses on neural computations in the medial temporal lobe (MTL), particularly the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, which are critical for memory, spatial navigation, and path integration. Studying the role of TRPC channels in temporal association memory and persistent firing Investigating grid cell formation in the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) Combining electrophysiological recordings (in vitro/in vivo) with computational simulations His work has implications for understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and epilepsy. Contact: motoharu.yoshida@dzne.de , +49 391 672-4538.