Find Academic Supervisors

• Bounded Rationality
• Information Theory
• Sensorimotor Control
• +4 more

Daniel Alexander Braun is a Professor conducting cutting-edge interdisciplinary research at the intersection of information theory, decision science, and sensorimotor neuroscience. His work establishes fundamental connections between thermodynamics, bounded rationality, and human cognition through rigorous mathematical modeling. His core research domains include: Bounded Rationality and Decision Theory Information-Theoretic Foundations of Computation Human Sensorimotor Learning and Control Multi-Agent Coordination Systems Machine Learning with Information Constraints Order-Theoretic Approaches to Complexity Thermodynamic Principles in Cognitive Modeling Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications reveals a dominant trajectory where information-theoretic bounded rationality models explain human sensorimotor behavior, with increasing emphasis on multi-agent hierarchical systems. His work uniquely bridges abstract mathematical frameworks (preordered spaces, majorization theory) with empirical neuroscience, while simultaneously advancing machine learning through unsupervised mutual information techniques. The persistent thermodynamics-decision theory nexus across 15+ publications demonstrates theoretical consistency. No scientific awards or honors are documented in the provided materials. While student advising details remain unspecified, his research program demonstrates sustained productivity through continuous publication in high-impact venues. The absence of institutional affiliations in the source text precludes discussion of laboratory structures or grant funding mechanisms, though the volume and mathematical sophistication of his work suggest significant collaborative infrastructure.

• Serotonin transporter regulation
• Neurotransmitter transporter interactions
• Lipid rafts and membrane microdomains
• +3 more

Dr Jana Haase is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, and a Fellow of the UCD Conway Institute. Her research focuses on the structure, function, and regulation of monoamine neurotransmitter transporters, particularly the serotonin transporter (SERT), and its role in inflammation-induced depression and antidepressant action. Education: PhD in Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany (1996) Diplom (MSc) in Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Germany (1993) Professional Certificate in University Teaching and Learning, UCD Research Interests: Dr Haase’s group investigates how SERT interacts with regulatory proteins and lipid rafts, how inflammation alters transporter function, and how these mechanisms contribute to depression. Her work spans proteomics , cell signaling , lipidomics , and behavioral neuroscience . Research Trends: Her recent publications highlight a systems-level approach to understanding serotonin signaling, integrating molecular, cellular, and behavioral data. She explores how lipid environments, immune signaling, and genetic factors modulate transporter function and contribute to psychiatric disorders. Grants and Funding: Dr Haase has secured over 25 grants, including funding from the Health Research Board, UCD ADVANCE PhD Scheme, and international symposium support. Her projects range from basic molecular studies to translational research on inflammation-induced depression and cannabinoid regulation of SERT. Professional Memberships: International Society for Serotonin Research International Transmembrane Transporter Society Biochemical Society (Local Ambassador) Teaching Contributions: She coordinates and teaches advanced modules in neurochemistry, genomics, proteomics, and research strategies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and supervises Erasmus and MSc research projects.

Thibaud GruberView profile

Professor

• Primate Cognition
• Animal Culture
• Tool Use
• +5 more

Prof. Thibaud Gruber is an SNSF Professor at the University of Geneva, specializing in primate cognition and cultural transmission. His work bridges cognitive science, neuroscience, and comparative psychology to explore tool use, vocal communication, and emotion recognition in humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, and other primates. PhD in Psychology, University of St Andrews Postdoctoral training at CNRS, University of Zürich, University of Neuchâtel, and Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Oxford Research interests focus on animal culture , emotional vocalizations , social learning , and cross-species cognition . He collaborates with Didier Grandjean (Geneva) on emotion discrimination methods, Fabrice Clément's group (Neuchâtel) on human child experiments, and conducts cross-cultural studies in France and Serbia. His recent articles highlight interdisciplinary trends in neuroscience (fNIRS studies of emotion processing), animal behavior (tool-use patterns and nesting ecology), and cognitive evolution (social norms and cultural dynamics). Collaborations span primatology, psychology, and behavioral ecology, emphasizing comparative frameworks. Advises Master's students: Marcos (2024), Ryser (2022), Kammermann (2022), and Debracque (2020) Grants include SNSF Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship, Marie Curie Sklodowska Fellowship, and Fyssen Foundation support Co-founded the Neuchâtel Animal Emotion Dynamics (NEAD) group, developing methods to analyze great apes' emotion categorization abilities. His lab combines field experiments with neuroimaging and behavioral ecology approaches.

• Neurobehavioral Research
• Cognitive Function
• Addiction
• +7 more

Edward Daniel Levin is Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine, with secondary appointments in Psychology and Neuroscience, Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, and the Nicholas School of the Environment. He serves as Chief of the Neurobehavioral Research Lab in the Psychiatry Department and maintains affiliations with the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke Cancer Institute, and Duke Initiative for Science & Society. Dr. Levin earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1984. His research spans three interconnected domains: basic neurobiology of cognition and addiction, neurobehavioral toxicology, and development of novel therapeutic treatments for cognitive dysfunction and substance abuse. His laboratory employs both rodent and zebrafish models to investigate neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes. Dr. Levin's work has consistently focused on nicotine's effects on learning, memory, and attention, with particular emphasis on alpha7 and alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor subtypes in the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and frontal cortex. His research examines interactions between these receptors and dopamine D1/D2 and glutamate NMDA systems. He has documented nicotine's memory-enhancing effects in both normal rats and those with specific brain lesions, and has conducted human studies assessing nicotine effects in schizophrenia, Alzheimer's Disease, and ADHD. His recent publications reveal an expanding focus on developmental neurotoxicology, particularly examining transgenerational effects of environmental contaminants including pesticides, flame retardants, heavy metals, and cannabis. His research demonstrates how basic neuroscience findings inform toxicology studies and vice versa, creating a powerful translational research approach with significant public health implications. Dr. Levin's laboratory represents a sophisticated integration of basic neuroscience, pharmacology, environmental health, and clinical applications. His work has been featured in media coverage on topics including climate change effects on the brain, decision-making research, and ADHD connections to secondhand smoke exposure.

Bijan PesaranView profile

Professor

• Neuronal Dynamics
• Decision Making
• Brain Networks
• +7 more

Bijan Pesaran is a Global Distinguished Professor at New York University's Center for Neural Science, where he leads an active research laboratory focused on understanding large-scale brain circuits and developing brain-based therapies. His research investigates the dynamics of neuronal activity to understand how brain areas interact during decision-making processes. Pesaran's research interests focus on neuronal dynamics and decision-making, with particular emphasis on how distributed brain networks coordinate movements such as saccadic eye movements and reaches. His work examines how specific patterns of neural activity can predict our choices before movements are executed. He employs a combination of experimental and engineering approaches, including multiple-area neural recordings and stimulation, to probe the network mechanisms of decision-making, coordination, and other cognitive functions. His research has significant implications for developing brain-machine interfaces that can translate thought into action, with potential applications for treating neurological disorders. Pesaran's laboratory has produced influential research on local field potential (LFP) activity and its relation to spiking and behavior, finding that oscillations in LFP predict movement direction and are coherent with single cell spiking. His work on correlations between neural activity in different brain areas has revealed how these correlations reflect whether a subject is making choices or following instructions, potentially reflecting communication between decision-making areas. His lab continues to expand tools for multi-area recordings and stimulation to understand how different brain systems work together to guide behavior. Pesaran has mentored numerous postdoctoral fellows and students who have gone on to academic and research positions. His laboratory has received funding for research on brain-machine interfaces, neural prosthetics, and understanding the neural basis of cognitive processes. The lab utilizes advanced technologies including virtual reality, motion capture systems, and neural recording systems to investigate large-scale brain networks.

• Neurodevelopment
• Inhibitory Synapse Formation
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• +5 more

Rochelle Hines, Ph.D. , is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Her laboratory investigates how inhibitory synapses form, stabilize, and malfunction during brain development, with the overarching goal of identifying novel therapeutic avenues for autism, schizophrenia, and developmental epilepsies. Education Ph.D. in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (2009) Postdoctoral Fellowship, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA (2015) Research Interests Dr. Hines’s research integrates molecular genetics, biochemistry, high-resolution microscopy, behavioral phenotyping, and electrophysiology to dissect the mechanisms governing inhibitory synapse maturation. By manipulating key synaptic proteins in mouse models, her team interrogates how disruptions in inhibitory signaling contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. Core themes include: Molecular scaffolding of GABAergic synapses via collybistin and neuroligin-2 Functional specialization of GABA(A) receptor subunits in cortical and hippocampal circuits Translational biomarkers and therapeutic targets for epilepsy and autism Publication Trends Across 38 peer-reviewed articles since 2006, Dr. Hines’s work has progressed from fundamental discoveries in synaptic protein trafficking to preclinical evaluations of pharmacological modulators (e.g., TSPO ligands, micronized caffeine). Recent high-impact studies (2021–2025) emphasize multi-system analyses combining EEG, behavioral, and molecular readouts to bridge cellular mechanisms with circuit-level dysfunction. Laboratory & Collaborations The Hines Group at UNLV houses state-of-the-art facilities for confocal and electron microscopy, in vivo EEG/EMG recordings, and mouse behavioral testing. Active collaborations span Tufts University, University of British Columbia, and international consortia focused on neurodevelopmental genomics and bio-electronic therapeutics. Funding & Grants While specific grant identifiers are not listed, the consistent publication output and patent filings (e.g., therapeutic compounds for neurodevelopmental disorders, 2025) indicate sustained extramural funding from NIH, NSF, and private foundations.

• Cognitive Psychology
• Emotional Intelligence
• Mindfulness Research
• +3 more

Cody Ding is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Education with an extensive research portfolio spanning cognitive psychology, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and data science applications in education. His work bridges neuroscience, psychology, and educational practice through rigorous empirical research. Dr. Ding's research interests focus on cognitive processes , emotional intelligence applications , mindfulness interventions , and advanced data analysis techniques in educational and psychological contexts. His work examines how cognitive functions relate to mental health outcomes, how emotional intelligence affects student well-being, and how innovative data visualization methods can enhance educational research. His publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with 15+ peer-reviewed articles from 2018-2024 covering diverse topics from neuroimaging studies of depression to machine learning applications in educational assessment. His research shows particular strength in longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses of mental health predictors, with recent work focusing on pandemic-related stress impacts. Multiple studies on mindfulness and cognitive function in depression Neuroscience research examining brain structure and emotional regulation Applications of multidimensional scaling in educational and psychological measurement Analysis of social and emotional factors affecting student outcomes Dr. Ding's work demonstrates methodological sophistication across neuroimaging, survey research, and advanced statistical techniques, contributing significantly to both theoretical understanding and practical applications in educational psychology.

Donald J. BolgerView profile

Associate Professor

• Reading Acquisition
• Language Processing
• Neurocognitive Development
• +7 more

Donald J. Bolger serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology within the College of Education at the University of Maryland, with additional affiliation to the Brain and Behavior Institute. His research integrates cognitive, neurobiological, and educational perspectives to investigate learning mechanisms and disorders. Dr. Bolger received his Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and completed postdoctoral training in Neuroscience at Northwestern University, establishing his foundation in multimodal neuroimaging approaches. His primary research examines the neurocognitive substrates of reading acquisition and impairment across writing systems (English, Chinese, Korean), emphasizing how biological factors interact with environmental input to influence learning outcomes. Additional investigations explore executive function, working memory in ADHD, and emotional language processing in autism spectrum disorder. Methodologically, he combines fMRI, ERP, MEG, and behavioral paradigms in school-based and laboratory settings to translate basic findings into educational interventions. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2024-2019) reveals consistent focus on semantic processing mechanisms, cross-linguistic reading development, and neural plasticity through cognitive training. Key trends include ERP component analysis for language comprehension, visual word form area adaptations across writing systems, and emotional modulation of cognitive control in clinical populations—demonstrating his commitment to bridging neuroscience and educational practice. No specific scientific awards or major honors were documented in the provided materials. As faculty member, Dr. Bolger mentors graduate students in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology. His research has received institutional support including MPower seed grants for neuroscience and aging initiatives, though specific grant awards were not detailed. His school-based collaborations focus on developing evidence-based reading interventions for diverse learners. He directs the Laboratory for the Neural Bases of Reading and Language (LNRL), which maintains active partnerships with the Brain and Behavior Institute. The LNRL conducts cutting-edge research on reading development and disorders using combined neuroimaging and behavioral methodologies, with recent projects spanning multiple languages and clinical populations to address fundamental questions about learning mechanisms.

Paul EslingerView profile

Professor

• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neurology
• +4 more

Paul Eslinger, PhD, MS, is a tenured Professor at Penn State College of Medicine with joint appointments in Neurology, Public Health Sciences, Pediatrics, Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Radiology, and Medicine. He serves as Chief of the Division of Neuropsychology and is affiliated with the Penn State Neuroscience Institute. His research focuses on the frontal lobe's role in executive function, social cognition, and adaptation across the lifespan, with applications to Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease. Education: PhD and MS in Neuropsychology & Chemistry of Behavior from Texas Christian University Postdoctoral: NINCDS Fellowship at University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine His work integrates behavioral, cognitive, and fMRI methodologies to characterize neurocognitive impairments and develop rehabilitative strategies. Over 45 years, he has led NIH/NSF-funded projects, published 166 research outputs, and contributed to textbooks on neurocognitive interventions. Recent publications examine metal exposure effects on brain microstructure and odor processing mechanisms. As a clinical neuropsychologist, Dr. Eslinger provides diagnostic testing for adults with cognitive/behavioral changes related to CNS conditions. He directs the clinical neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience program in Neurology and serves as Editor for Social Neuroscience journal. Scientific honors include the 2019 Career Citation Milestone Award.

Mark BuckleyView profile

Professor

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Memory Systems
• +4 more

Professor Mark Buckley is a leading researcher in Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience at Oxford University, affiliated with the Department of Experimental Psychology and Queen’s College. He also holds visiting positions at Tohoku University Brain Science Centre and RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan. Education: D.Phil. in Experimental Psychology from Oxford University His research focuses on understanding how interconnected neural systems in the brain underpin learning, memory, and decision-making, with a particular emphasis on the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes. His work bridges basic neuroscience with applications in dementia, amnesia, and psychiatric disorders. Recent publications highlight his exploration of neural dynamics in problem-solving, executive control fluctuations, and frontopolar cortex functions. His studies employ neuropsychological, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging techniques across normal and lesioned brain models. Scientific Awards: Medical Research Council Research Training Fellowship Royal Society University Research Fellowship Buckley teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in psychobiology, behavioral neuroscience, and memory neurobiology. He oversees research projects and dissertations, fostering advanced study in cognitive processes. His laboratory is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and Wellcome Trust, reflecting the significance of his work in cognitive neuroscience.

Stanislas DehaeneView profile

Professor

• Numerical cognition
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Neural correlates of consciousness
• +3 more

Stanislas Dehaene is a renowned French cognitive neuroscientist currently serving as Professor at Collège de France where he holds the Chair of Experimental Cognitive Psychology. He is also the Director of INSERM Unit 562 "Cognitive Neuroimaging" at the Neurospin center in Gif-sur-Yvette, France. His laboratory comprises five research teams investigating various aspects of cognitive neuroscience. Dehaene received his education at prestigious French institutions: Mathematics studies at École Normale Supérieure (1984-1989) Master's degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from University of Paris VI (1985) PhD in Experimental Psychology from École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (1989) Dehaene's research spans several groundbreaking areas in cognitive neuroscience. He is best known for his work on numerical cognition , which he synthesized in his influential book "The Number Sense." His research on the neural basis of reading led to the identification of the "visual word form area" (VWFA), and his work on consciousness has advanced Global Workspace Theory through computational modeling and neuroimaging experiments. His interdisciplinary approach combines mathematics, psychology, and neuroscience to understand fundamental cognitive processes. Analysis of Dehaene's recent publications reveals a continued focus on the neural mechanisms of consciousness, reading, and numerical processing. His work increasingly incorporates advanced neuroimaging techniques and computational models to explore how the brain processes information at both conscious and unconscious levels. There's a noticeable trend toward studying cross-cultural and developmental aspects of cognitive functions, as evidenced by research with indigenous populations and children. Dehaene's exceptional contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: James S. McDonnell Foundation Centennial Fellowship (1999) Grand Prix scientifique de la Fondation Louis D. (2003) Prix Jean Rostand for "La Bosse des Maths" The Brain Prize (2014) Lewis Thomas Prize for writing about science (2025) As director of the Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, Dehaene oversees a research group of nearly 30 graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and researchers. His laboratory has received substantial funding from French and international sources, including the European Research Council. Dehaene serves on the editorial boards of leading journals including Cognition, NeuroImage, and PLoS Biology, and has mentored numerous researchers who have gone on to establish their own successful careers in cognitive neuroscience. Dehaene's INSERM-CEA Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit comprises five specialized teams: Languages of the Brain (directed by Christophe Pallier), Neuroimaging of Development (directed by Ghislaine Dehaene-Lambertz), Primate Consciousness and Cognition (directed by Béchir Jarraya), Cognition and Brain dynamics (directed by Virginie van Wassenhove), and The Computational Brain (directed by Florent Meyniel). This collaborative environment fosters interdisciplinary research using cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques to investigate fundamental questions about human cognition.

• Biological psychology
• Neurosciences
• Clinical sciences
• +10 more

Dr. Matthew Hughes is a Senior Lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology's School of Health Sciences and serves as the National Imaging Facility (NIF) Fellow for MRI research. With a PhD from the University of Newcastle completed in 2010, his research focuses on understanding neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes in various psychiatric conditions using advanced neuroimaging techniques. His primary research interests include: Neural basis of response inhibition and cognitive control Neuroimaging studies of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder Investigation of neurocognitive abnormalities in anorexia nervosa and hoarding disorder Relationship between brain morphology and cognitive function across diagnostic categories Methodological approaches for reproducible neuroimaging analysis Dr. Hughes employs advanced neuroimaging techniques including 3T MRI, MEG, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in his research. His recent work has explored innovative data analysis approaches for neuroimaging, as evidenced by his contribution to the Neurodesk platform published in Nature Methods, which aims to improve reproducibility in neuroimaging analysis. His research has been supported by multiple competitive grants from the Barbara Dicker Brain Science Foundation, including projects examining EMDR therapy effects in concussion, transcranial direct current stimulation for anorexia nervosa, hearing aid use impact on brain activity, and neurocognitive abnormalities in psychiatric disorders. As a supervisor, Dr. Hughes is available to guide Doctorate (PhD) students and has supervised multiple doctoral projects focusing on various aspects of cognitive neuroscience and psychiatric disorders. His supervision portfolio demonstrates a commitment to training the next generation of researchers in both methodological approaches and clinical applications of neuroscience research.

Daniela SchulzView profile

Associate Professor

• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging
• PET Imaging
• +7 more

Daniela Schulz is an Associate Professor at Boğaziçi University's Institute of Biomedical Engineering, where she has been teaching since 2018. She coordinates the international iNavigate project and leads research on behavioral neuroscience, neuroimaging, and animal models of psychiatric disorders. Her work bridges engineering and neuroscience to develop innovative approaches for understanding brain function and behavior, with particular emphasis on translating basic research into clinical applications. Education: BA in Psychology, Boğaziçi University (1996) MA in Psychological Sciences, Boğaziçi University (1998) PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Düsseldorf, Germany (2005) Post-doctoral training at University of Düsseldorf and Brookhaven National Laboratory (2005-2011) Research Interests: Dr. Schulz specializes in behavioral neuroimaging, particularly using the RatCAP (Rat Conscious Animal PET) scanner she helped develop, which enables PET imaging of awake, behaving animals. Her research spans multiple domains including depression models, Parkinson's disease, cognitive effort, and neurotechnology applications. She investigates how motivation, learning, and emotional states correlate with brain activity patterns, with particular focus on dopamine systems and neural circuitry involved in helplessness and despair models. Her work integrates molecular, behavioral, and imaging approaches to understand brain function in both healthy and pathological states. Publications Trends: Dr. Schulz's publication record reveals a clear trajectory from basic neuroscience methodology development to increasingly translational and interdisciplinary applications. Her early work focused on developing the RatCAP technology and establishing behavioral neuroimaging as a discipline. This evolved into sophisticated applications studying dopamine systems during natural behaviors, followed by investigations of animal models of depression and Parkinson's disease. More recently, her work has expanded to include human applications of neurotechnology and societal implications of neuroscience advances, reflecting a broader vision of how neuroscience can address real-world challenges. Grants and Leadership: Coordinator of H2020-MSCA-RISE-2019 "iNavigate" project (2023-present) PI for "Understanding societal challenges: a NeurotechEU perspective" (2021-present) Researcher for TÜBITAK "Small animal imaging application" project (2023-present) PI for BAP Start-Up "Experience-driven DBS for Parkinson's model" (2020-2023) Editorial and Professional Activities: Dr. Schulz serves as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience and is on the Editorial Board of Behavioural Brain Research. She has guest edited special issues on depression symptomatology and behavioral neuroimaging, reflecting her standing in these research communities. Her lab (BBL) at Boğaziçi University continues to push the boundaries of behavioral neuroscience methodology while addressing clinically relevant questions in mental health and neurological disorders.

• Neuroscience
• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Electroencephalogram
• +6 more

Janne Kauttonen serves as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering at Aalto University's School of Science. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Filosofian tohtori) from the University of Jyväskylä, awarded on October 17, 2012. His research contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) through neuroscience education and research. Dr. Kauttonen's research interests focus on Neuroscience , particularly utilizing Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Electroencephalogram techniques to study brain networks during naturalistic cognitive processes. His work explores how the brain processes social interactions, narrative comprehension, and memory formation during real-world stimuli like movies and audio dramas. Key research areas include angular gyrus functionality, social behavior neuroscience, and cognitive processing differences between holistic and analytical thinkers. His publication record shows consistent output since 2014, with significant impact in cognitive neuroscience. His research demonstrates strong interest in how brain networks respond to natural stimuli, with particular emphasis on social presence, narrative processing, and cue-based memory mechanisms. The 2018 NeuroImage paper on memory formation during movie viewing has garnered 44 citations, indicating substantial influence in the field. Dr. Kauttonen has presented his research at numerous international conferences including Neuroscience 2014 in Washington DC, the 5th Workshop on Computational Models of Narrative in Quebec City, and the APS March Meeting in Boston.

Gordon MG ShepherdView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neural circuits
• Motor control
• +6 more

Gordon MG Shepherd, MD, PhD is a Professor of Neuroscience at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, where he leads a research laboratory focused on neural circuit organization in motor-frontal cortex. His work bridges cellular, synaptic, and systems neuroscience to understand the neural basis of motor control, executive functions, and working memory. Dr. Shepherd's research interests center on elucidating the functional 'wiring diagrams' of neocortical neurons in motor-frontal cortex. His laboratory applies multiple tools of quantitative synaptic circuit analysis, including laser scanning photostimulation microscopy based on glutamate uncaging and channelrhodopsin-2 excitation. His team investigates circuit-level mechanisms in mouse models of disease, including autism, Rett syndrome, epilepsy, and motor neuron diseases. They also develop software tools for imaging and electrophysiology applications ( www.scanimage.org , www.ephus.org ). His research portfolio demonstrates a consistent focus on cortical connectivity, synaptic organization, and motor control systems. The articles reflect an evolution from basic circuit mapping to increasingly sophisticated multiscale modeling approaches that integrate cellular, circuit, and behavioral data. His work spans molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience with strong translational implications for neurological disorders. Dr. Shepherd has received significant recognition for his contributions to neuroscience: Javitz Neuroscience Investigator Award, NIH, NINDS (2023) Research Award, Evans Foundation (2011) Albert and Ellen Grass Faculty Award, Grass Foundation (2008-2010) Member, MBL Society (2010) Professionally, Dr. Shepherd serves as Associate Editor for Science Advances (2019-present) and on several editorial boards. He has held leadership positions including Chair of the Society for Neuroscience (2012) and serves on scientific advisory boards for the Emory-Udall Parkinson's Disease Center and NINDS. His laboratory contributes to the Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program (NUIN), which trains 20-25 PhD students annually through a six-year program involving laboratory rotations and thesis research. Dr. Shepherd's laboratory maintains active collaborations and develops computational tools that support neuroscience research community-wide. His work on cortical cells, circuits, and signals aims to understand the cellular mechanisms for motor control in behaving animals and how these are affected in neurological diseases that impair sensorimotor function.