Find Academic Supervisors

Nikola GrujicView profile

Researcher

• Neuroscience
• Neurophysiology
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• +3 more

Nikola Grujic is a Researcher affiliated with the Department of Neuroscience at ETH Zürich, part of the Professorship for Neuroscience. His research focuses on neurophysiological mechanisms underlying behavioral states, neural coding of metabolic and sensory signals, and the interplay between neural systems and behavior. Key interests include orexin neuron function, pupil-linked arousal dynamics, and decision-making processes in mammals. Research Interests: Neural control of behavior Orexin/hypocretin system Pupil dynamics as a biomarker of arousal Metabolic regulation and neural signaling Cognitive behavioral neuroscience Neural coding of reward and uncertainty Recent work emphasizes how hypothalamic neurons (e.g., orexin, MCH) encode physiological states and modulate exploratory behavior, attention, and decision-making. His studies employ advanced neurophysiological techniques in behaving animals to map neural circuits involved in arousal regulation and sensorimotor integration. Publications reflect multidisciplinary approaches combining electrophysiology, behavioral analysis, and computational modeling to understand how neural systems process environmental and internal signals to guide adaptive behaviors.

Joseph E. ShepherdView profile

Professor

• Explosion Dynamics
• Shock Waves
• Hypersonics
• +3 more

Joseph E. Shepherd is the C.L. "Kelly" Johnson Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering at Caltech, specializing in explosion dynamics, shock waves, and hypersonic flows. His research examines extreme fluid mechanics phenomena through experiments and modeling, with applications to industrial safety, nuclear power, and aerospace systems. Professor Shepherd leads the Explosion Dynamics Laboratory, studying combustion, detonations, and fluid-structure interactions. His group has investigated high-profile accidents including the TWA Flight 800 crash and Fukushima nuclear disaster to improve safety protocols. Current work focuses on blast wave propagation, hypersonic flow physics, and energy conversion technologies. He currently advises graduate students in explosion dynamics and teaches courses in nonsteady gasdynamics.

Yuki OkaView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neural Circuits
• Homeostasis
• +3 more

Yuki Oka is a Professor of Biology at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and an Investigator at the Heritage Medical Research Institute (HMRI). They hold a B.A. from the University of Tokyo (2002) and a Ph.D. (2007). Oka joined Caltech as an Assistant Professor in 2014, becoming a full Professor in 2020. They were a Chen Scholar (2019–2022) and have been an HMRI Investigator since 2021. Research focuses on the neural and molecular mechanisms underlying homeostatic regulation, particularly how the brain integrates internal body states and external sensory inputs to maintain fluid balance. Key areas include thirst regulation, sodium appetite, and gut-brain communication. Techniques employed include genetics, optogenetics, and single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect neural circuits and molecular pathways. Recent work highlights discoveries in organ-specific sympathetic innervation, neural pathways for sodium consumption, and improved single-cell RNA sequencing methods. The lab investigates brain regions like the lamina terminalis and hindbrain structures, exploring interactions between water and sodium appetite circuits. Media recognition includes coverage in The New York Times and NPR for studies on thirst mechanisms. Oka’s research bridges fundamental neuroscience with implications for understanding disorders related to fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

• Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• +2 more

Alexander Tesmer is a Doctorate student at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST) of ETH Zürich , affiliated with the Institute for Neuroscience . His work focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying metabolic and behavioral regulation through advanced neuroscience methodologies. Current Role: Researcher in the Neurobehavioural Dynamics group Location: Schorenstrasse 16, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland Research Interests span neuroscience, neurobiology, and cognitive science, with a particular emphasis on: Orexin neuron dynamics and metabolic state monitoring Neurocognitive processes in decision-making Neural encoding of physiological parameters Development of optogenetic and fluorescent tools Key Article Trends reveal a focus on hypothalamic orexin systems, neurometabolic interactions, and advanced imaging techniques applied to zebrafish and rodent models. His publications demonstrate expertise in combining behavioral analysis with neural activity monitoring. Contact: alexander.tesmer@hest.ethz.ch

Daria Peleg-RaibsteinView profile

Lecturer

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Behavioral Psychology
• Nutritional Neuroscience
• +3 more

Dr. Daria Peleg-Raibstein is a Lecturer at ETH Zürich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology, affiliated with the Institut für Neurowissenschaften (Institute for Neuroscience). Her research focuses on how environmental and nutritional inputs, particularly maternal overnutrition, influence cognitive and behavioral outcomes across generations. Her independent research group has been continuously funded since 2012, investigating topics such as intergenerational effects of diet on reward systems, stress-linked cognition, and hypothalamic regulation of memory processes. Research Interests: Peleg-Raibstein’s work bridges nutritional science, neuroscience, and psychology. Key areas include the neurobiological consequences of maternal dietary choices, the role of hypothalamic circuits (e.g., orexin and MCH neurons) in memory and metabolic control, and the interplay between environmental inputs and long-term cognitive health. Her lab explores how nutritional exposures during critical developmental periods reprogram brain function, leading to risks of addiction, metabolic disorders, and cognitive decline. Recent Publications: Her 2025 review in Neuropharmacology explores hypothalamic control of memory phases and types, while her 2025 Nutrients paper highlights how maternal overnutrition impairs spatial memory in offspring. Ongoing projects include NIH-funded studies on reward systems and ETH-funded work on stress resilience mechanisms. Grants & Funding: Current grants include SNF support for reward system research and ETH funding for nutritional programming of Alzheimer’s risk. Her group maintains 1-2 postdocs and 1-3 PhD students, emphasizing translational neuroscience. Labs/Teams: Leads an independent research group at ETH Zürich, focusing on nutritional neuroscience and neuroendocrine signaling. Collaborates with institutions like the Burdakov Lab on orexin neuron studies.

Mino BelleView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Circadian Rhythm
• Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
• Neuropeptide Signaling
• +5 more

Mino Belle is a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Neuroscience, focusing on circadian rhythm mechanisms and neuroendocrine signaling. Their research integrates electrophysiological, behavioral, and molecular approaches to understand how neural circuits govern daily rhythms in diurnal mammals. Key Projects: Biological Rhythms: Investigating circadian regulation of behavior and physiology Sensory and Motor Systems: Exploring thalamic circuit development and sensory processing Centre for Biological Timing: Multidisciplinary studies on circadian clocks and light entrainment Research Highlights: Discovered NALCN channel's role in pituitary excitability (2025) Identified critical orexin signaling periods in visual thalamus development (2024) Uncovered neuropeptide's role in SCN temporal expression (2024) Showed bright light's impact on circadian amplitude in diurnal mammals (2021) Current research emphasizes suprachiasmatic nucleus function, neuronal excitability mechanisms, and light-driven timing systems. Their work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being through insights into biological timing disruptions.

Jill RourkeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Pharmacology
• +3 more

Jill Rourke is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Mount Allison University. Her office is located in Barclay 121, and she can be contacted via email at jrourke@mta.ca or by phone at (506) 364-2623. Her professional website focuses on publications, education, teaching, and research activities. Dr. Rourke's research spans biochemistry, nanotoxicology, pharmacology, and molecular biology, with specific focus areas including nanoparticle cytotoxicity, G protein-coupled receptor signaling, metabolic effects of artificial sweeteners, and cancer therapeutics. Her work employs multiparametric approaches to investigate cellular responses to biochemical and environmental stimuli. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on nanomaterial safety assessment, molecular pharmacology of receptors, and metabolic regulation. Research frequently utilizes advanced biochemical techniques to characterize cellular responses to nanoparticles, bioactive compounds, and receptor ligands across diverse biological systems.

• Neurobiology
• Molecular Biology of Thermoregulation
• Single-Cell Omics
• +5 more

Song Kun is an Associate Professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology's School of Life Sciences, Department of Neuroscience. He obtained his B.Sc. and M.Sc. at Nankai University and PhD in Biology from Max-Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine/Free University of Berlin. He conducted postdoctoral research at the Max-Delbruck Center before joining SUSTech in 2019 as an independent research group leader and doctoral supervisor. Research : Focuses on nervous system regulation of homeostasis using mouse models and interdisciplinary methods, particularly thermoregulation mechanisms. Collaborations : Works with Professor Hou Shengtao's group on hypothermia applications in stroke (Nature Communications 2022) and develops optogenetic tools for brain disease therapies. Publications : Research spans neuroscience, molecular biology, and single-cell omics, with high-impact papers in Science (2016), Nature Neuroscience (2015, 2017), and Nature Communications (2020, 2022). Teaching : Offers courses in Modern Biological Techniques and Introduction to Advanced Biological Experimental Methods . Labs : Leads a research group at SUSTech's Second Research Building, focusing on neural modulation tools and collaborative projects in cancer, obesity metabolism, and neuromuscular regulation.

David FreemanView profile

Associate Professor

• Circadian and Seasonal Rhythms
• Neuroendocrinology
• Behavioral Biology
• +3 more

David Freeman is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Memphis, a position he assumed in 2017 after joining the department in 2002. He teaches Principles of Anatomy & Physiology, Vertebrate Physiology, Neurobiology, Biological Clocks, and Topics in Physiology/Animal Behavior, while delivering lectures in General Biology II. Education: B.A. in Conservation Biology from Kent State University Ph.D. in Physiology & Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley Research Interests: Dr. Freeman's work centers on two major research lines. First, he investigates neural mechanisms regulating seasonal physiological and behavioral cycles in mammals, with emphasis on melatonin's role in photoperiodic responses. Second, he studies eusociality in Damaraland mole-rats—the neural, endocrine, and behavioral mechanisms governing reproductive hierarchies and mating systems in this rare mammalian model. His integrative approach bridges organismal biology, neuroendocrinology, and behavioral physiology to unravel how environmental cues drive adaptive responses. Publication Trends: Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on melatonin-mediated seasonal physiology (2018-2022), particularly gut microbiome-immune-behavior interactions and neural circuit mapping. Concurrently, his Damaraland mole-rat research has advanced understanding of eusocial reproductive hierarchies through neuroendocrine profiling and social cue experiments, establishing this species as a critical model for vertebrate social evolution. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards were documented in the source materials. Advising and Grants: The provided texts contain no specific information regarding student advising responsibilities or external grant funding. Research Infrastructure: The Freeman Lab at the University of Memphis maintains active research programs in circadian/seasonal biology and eusocial mammal behavior. The lab employs multidisciplinary methodologies including neuroanatomical tracing, endocrine assays, and behavioral analysis across Siberian hamster and Damaraland mole-rat models to address fundamental questions in biological timing and social organization.

• Neuroscience
• Addiction Biology
• Stress Neurobiology
• +4 more

Professor Chris Dayas is an academic in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy at the University of Newcastle, specializing in Anatomy. He holds the title of Interim Head of School and has been a faculty member since 2007. His research focuses on understanding brain mechanisms underlying addiction, stress, and motivation, particularly the role of hypothalamic peptides like orexin/hypocretin and CART in driving drug-seeking and relapse behavior. Education: PhD in Neuroscience (University of Queensland, 2000), Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology (University of Queensland) Postdoctoral Training: The Scripps Research Institute (2002–2006), funded by an NHMRC CJ Martin Fellowship Research Interests: Professor Dayas investigates neural pathways involved in addiction vulnerability, stress-induced relapse, and the molecular adaptations that underpin compulsive behaviors. His work combines electrophysiology, optogenetics, and pharmacology to dissect the role of hypothalamic systems in reward and motivation. Grants & Funding: Secured NHMRC grants for studies on hypothalamic peptides and a philanthropic grant from Glencore for an optogenetics microscopy system. Collaborations include the Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health and Hunter Medical Research Institute. Awards: CJ Martin Biomedical Fellowship (NHMRC, 2001) Labs/Teams: Heads a research group using cutting-edge techniques like optogenetics to study brain circuitry.

• Biomedical Science
• Neurophysiology
• Neuroscience
• +6 more

Professor Brett Graham is a leading researcher at the University of Newcastle's School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy , specializing in spinal cord sensory coding and pain signaling mechanisms . His work focuses on mapping neural circuits involved in pain transmission and modulation. PhD in Biomedical Science (University of Newcastle) Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (University of Newcastle) Research interests include: Spinal Cord Pain Circuits - Investigating how nerve cells process and transmit pain signals Neuroinflammation - Studying age-related changes in spinal cord gene expression Optogenetics - Using light-activated proteins to map neural pathways Synaptic Plasticity - Exploring changes in neural connections during chronic pain His 15 most recent articles (2015-2025) reveal a consistent focus on: Spinal cord microcircuitry (40% of articles) Neuropathic pain mechanisms (35% of articles) Optogenetic and transgenic techniques (25% of articles) Synaptic transmission dynamics (20% of articles) Pain modulation strategies (15% of articles) Scientific contributions include: Co-developing transgenic mouse models for pain research Pioneering work on glycinergic inhibition in spinal cord neurons Advancing understanding of visceral pain processing As a research supervisor , he has mentored students working on: Spinal cord circuit mapping Chronic pain treatment development Pain signal modulation techniques Age-related changes in pain processing

Dongsheng CaiView profile

Professor

• Neuroimmunology
• Neuroendocrinology
• Neural Stem Cell Biology
• +5 more

Dongsheng Cai is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He holds the Young Men's Division Chair in Physiology and serves as Director of the Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation. His research focuses on neuroimmunological and neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying integrated physiology, with emphasis on metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, aging, and neural stem cell biology. Key research areas include hypothalamic microinflammation, neural stem cell functions (particularly hypothalamic neural stem cells), exosomal miRNA/piRNA signaling, and the interplay between brain signaling and systemic health. His work bridges multiple disciplines, engaging with campus institutes like the Diabetes Research Center, Institute for Aging Research, and Cancer Center. Publications highlight breakthroughs in aging control via hypothalamic stem cells, metabolic regulation through astrocytic processes, and brain-fat axis immunological linkages. Research strategies involve interdisciplinary models to address fundamental questions in physiology and disease mechanisms. His laboratory collaborates across neuroimmunology, endocrinology, and stem cell biology, aiming to translate discoveries into health-improving technologies. No specific grants or student advising records are listed here.

Gideon RothschildView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Sensory Processing
• Memory Consolidation
• +4 more

Dr. Gideon Rothschild is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan. He holds an adjunct position in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. His research explores neural circuit mechanisms linking sensation and memory, using neurophysiological and optical techniques in rodent models. He completed his B.Sc. in computer science and computational biology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, followed by a Ph.D. in neuroscience in 2012. Postdoctoral work at UCSF under Loren Frank focused on auditory cortex-hippocampus interactions during memory processes. His lab investigates how sensory experiences and memories interact, particularly in the neocortex and hippocampus. Key projects include studying auditory cortical-striatal circuits for sound-triggered predictions, sleep's role in memory consolidation, and the impact of sensory inputs during sleep. The lab employs electrophysiology, optogenetics, and behavioral assays to dissect these processes. Recent publications emphasize neural synchronization, cortico-striatal pathways, and the effects of sensory interference on memory. The Rothschild Lab actively recruits graduate students and postdocs to advance these studies. His work bridges computational neuroscience with experimental neurophysiology, aiming to uncover fundamental principles of brain function in health and disease.

Alexis HillView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neurobiology
• Molecular Genetics
• Developmental Biology
• +3 more

Alexis Hill is an Assistant Professor and Neuroscience Program Director at Barnard College, Department of Neuroscience & Behavior. She also maintains an affiliation with the College of the Holy Cross, where she contributed to academic roles. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of neuronal activity and behavior using Drosophila melanogaster, with applications to human neurological diseases. She oversees the Hill Lab, which investigates gene-neurotransmission interactions and developmental processes. Education: Ph.D., Columbia University. Email contacts: ahill@barnard.edu (primary) and ahill@holycross.edu. Research interests include neurobiology, molecular genetics, and developmental biology. Students advised include Brendan Kelly (Holy Cross ’19) and Emily Hensley (Class of 2022, lab artwork contributor). Her research spans neurophysiological mechanisms in Drosophila, opioid research historiography, and STEM education innovation. Articles highlight ion channel roles in stress responses, synaptic transmission, and neurogenesis’s impact on mental health. Lab collaborations involve Barnard students and interdisciplinary approaches to neuroscience. No scientific awards explicitly noted, but contributions to neurobiology and education are notable.

Joanne MathiasenView profile

Professor

• CNS Drug Discovery
• Behavioral Pharmacology
• Neuropharmacology
• +5 more

Joanne Mathiasen, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology and Co-Director of the Drug Discovery & Development master's program at Drexel University College of Medicine. She holds adjunct teaching roles and has prior industry experience at Johnson & Johnson, Cephalon, and Teva. Her research focuses on CNS drug discovery, behavioral pharmacology, neuropharmacology, pain, and cognition. Dr. Mathiasen has authored over 50 publications and developed assays like the Irwin Test for preclinical drug evaluation. Education: BS in Psychobiology, Albright College PhD in Physiology, University of Kansas Research Interests: CNS drug discovery Behavioral pharmacology Neuropharmacology Pain mechanisms Cognitive enhancement via histamine H3 receptor antagonists Key Contributions: Expertise in the Functional Observational Battery (Irwin Test) for drug safety pharmacology Contributions to Topiramate and Risperidone discovery Work on opioid-mediated analgesia, neurodegeneration pathways, and cognition-enhancing compounds Awards: 2023 Angelo Pinto Educator Award 2022 Best Mentor Award 2018 Best Professor Award 1986 Optimus Award (McNeil Pharmaceutical) Teaching/Service: Courses: Advanced Pharmacology, Drug Discovery & Development, Graduate Pharmacology/Physiology Course Director for Pharmacology 525/526 and Graduate Physiology (PHGY 503) Labs/Teams: Active in Drexel’s Drug Discovery & Development Program and preclinical research collaborations with industry partners.