Find Academic Supervisors

Benjamin ScottView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroethology
• +3 more

Benjamin Scott is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Comparative Cognition at Boston University's College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences. He holds a PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and specializes in bridging biomedical engineering with neuroethology to study neural mechanisms of cognition. His research integrates optical imaging and genetic methods to observe neural activity in intact brains, with current projects focusing on evidence-based decision-making circuits using high-throughput behavioral training and advanced imaging techniques. Primary research areas include neural basis of cognition, biomedical engineering applications in neuroscience, and neuroethological approaches to brain function. Scott's recent publications demonstrate strong focus on advanced neuroimaging techniques (including three-photon microscopy and widefield macroscopy), neural circuit dynamics in decision-making, and cross-species cognitive frameworks. Work frequently involves transgenic models, behavioral paradigms, and computational analysis of neural data, with applications ranging from autism research to memory formation mechanisms. He directs the Laboratory of Comparative Cognition, which develops experimental methods for in vivo brain imaging and behavioral analysis. No advising relationships or scientific awards are documented in the available materials.

Robbert HavekesView profile

Associate Professor

• Learning and Memory
• Hippocampal function
• Synaptic plasticity
• +7 more

Robbert Havekes is an Associate Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, specializing in the Neuroscience of Memory and Sleep. He leads the Havekes lab, which investigates molecular mechanisms underlying memory storage and how sleep deprivation impacts these processes. His work integrates behavioral studies, genetic/pharmacological approaches, and optogenetics. Education: PhD in Neurobiology (University of Groningen, 2007). Postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania (2007-2015). Research focuses on synaptic plasticity, hippocampal function, sleep deprivation effects, and translational approaches like chemogenetics and viral models. Research Interests: Molecular underpinnings of memory, sleep deprivation's neurobiological effects, neurodevelopmental disorders, and circadian rhythms. Key topics include cAMP signaling, synaptic spines, and memory engram manipulation. Grants & Awards: Over €1.5M in funding, including an HFSP Young Investigator Grant (2017-2020) and Dutch Rubicon Fellowship (2007-2009). Recognitions include best oral/poster awards at sleep research conferences. Students & Labs: Supervises PhD students on projects like memory engrams, autism spectrum disorders, and hibernation neurobiology. Collaborates with teams studying PKU and sleep's role in modern society. Labs/Teams: Co-leads the BioClock consortium exploring circadian rhythms and light effects. Active in editorial roles for Frontiers in Behavioral Neurosciences and Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.

Katharina HenkeView profile

Associate Professor

• Episodic Memory
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neurobiology of Sleep
• +3 more

Prof. Katharina Henke is an Associate Professor at the University of Bern's Institute of Psychology, leading the Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory and Consciousness group. Her work focuses on episodic memory processes, unconscious cognition, and sleep's role in memory consolidation. She has held teaching roles since 2005, including courses on neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience, and experimental psychology. Research Interests Episodic memory formation (conscious vs. unconscious) Hippocampal formation's role in relational encoding Sleep stages' impact on memory consolidation Unconscious memory storage in amnesic patients Neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, EEG) Publications Highlight trends in: Unconscious memory superiority over conscious processing Sleep-dependent vocabulary learning mechanisms Neural correlates of subliminal memory cues Long-term forgetting patterns in brain injury patients Lab Activities involve ultra-high-field MRI studies tracking memory traces in healthy/amnesic brains, collaborative projects on sleep stages' functional roles, and interventions using non-invasive brain stimulation to enhance memory retrieval.

Sadra SadehView profile

Research Fellow

• Computational Neuroscience
• Neural Network Modeling
• Brain Connectivity
• +5 more

Dr. Sadra Sadeh is a Senior Research Fellow at King's College London, working within the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. His research focuses on building computational models of brain networks to understand how brain structure relates to its dynamics and function. He leads the Sadeh Lab, which approaches neuroscience problems through data-constrained computational modeling and theoretical analysis of large-scale neuronal networks. Dr. Sadeh's research interests span computational neuroscience, neural network modeling, brain connectivity, and the intersection of neuroscience with artificial intelligence (Neuro-AI). His work aims to reveal fundamental mechanisms underlying brain operation in both healthy and disease conditions, with potential applications for understanding neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. His research has significant implications for developing brain-computer interfaces and advancing artificial intelligence models. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in hippocampal networks, memory consolidation, neural dynamics, and computational modeling approaches. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals including Nature Neuroscience, Nature Reviews Neuroscience, and PNAS. Wellcome Trust Career Development Award recipient Dr. Sadeh maintains active collaborations with leading neuroscientists including Professor Oscar Marín and Professor Laura Andreae at King's College London, and researchers at the Francis Crick Institute. His current research is supported by the Wellcome Trust project 'Perturbative analysis of brain networks' where he serves as Co-Investigator.

Amar SahayView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Memory Circuits
• +5 more

Amar Sahay is a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, serving as Principal Faculty at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Associate Member of the Broad Institute. His research is conducted at the Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he directs the Sahay Lab focused on hippocampal circuit mechanisms underlying cognition and memory disorders. Dr. Sahay's work centers on re-engineering memory circuits to reverse cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's Disease, aging, and neurodevelopmental disorders. His lab investigates molecular and circuit plasticity mechanisms in the hippocampus, with emphasis on adult neurogenesis and inhibitory microcircuits. Key research thrusts include: Rejuvenating hippocampal circuitry through adult-born neurons Reconfiguring GABAergic inhibition to enhance social memory Restoring inhibitory circuit plasticity in neurodevelopmental disorders Developing circuit-based interventions for cognitive decline Analysis of his 2020-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in hippocampal-cortical communication, memory consolidation mechanisms, and translational applications for cognitive disorders. His work spans molecular neuroscience (e.g., secretory phospholipases in aging), circuit-level interventions (e.g., hippocampus-septum-hypothalamus feeding circuits), and stem cell-based approaches, consistently targeting inhibitory circuit modulation to improve memory precision. As head of the Sahay Lab, he leads a multidisciplinary team employing mouse genetics, optogenetics, in vivo imaging, and electrophysiology. His research receives substantial funding from NIH and Harvard-affiliated institutes, supporting investigations into neural circuit mechanisms of cognition and memory disorders. The lab maintains strong collaborations across Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Broad Institute. The Sahay Lab operates within the Harvard Stem Cell Institute's Center for Regenerative Medicine (CPZN-Room 4242, 185 Cambridge St, Boston), leveraging resources from Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute to bridge basic neuroscience with therapeutic applications for cognitive disorders.

David GlanzmanView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Learning and Memory
• Synaptic Plasticity
• +3 more

David Glanzman is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), holding dual appointments in the Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology (College of Letters and Science) and the Department of Neurobiology (David Geffen School of Medicine). His research focuses on the cell biology of learning and memory in Aplysia californica and zebrafish (Danio rerio), emphasizing synaptic plasticity , epigenetic mechanisms , and RNA-mediated memory transfer . B.A. in Psychology, Indiana University Bloomington (1973) Ph.D. in Psychology, Stanford University (1980) Glanzman's work on Aplysia investigates how RNA-induced nuclear changes and DNA methylation contribute to memory maintenance, challenging traditional synaptic plasticity models. His zebrafish studies leverage genetic tractability and optogenetics to explore nonassociative learning and associative memory circuits . Recent publications highlight the RNA-based memory storage and epigenetic engrams in invertebrates. Key scientific contributions include: Discovery of RNA's role in memory reinstatement (eLife, 2017) Elucidation of DNA methylation's critical function in memory persistence (eNeuro, 2018) Development of zebrafish models for sensitization (eNeuro, 2020) Identification of KIBRA-mediated PKM stabilization (J. Neuroscience, 2011) Glanzman's laboratory has trained numerous researchers in cellular and molecular neuroscience , contributing to understanding memory consolidation and neural injury responses . His work intersects with neurogenetics , neuroethology , and cognitive theory .

Roger MarekView profile

Research Fellow

• Behavioural neuroscience
• Biological psychology
• Psychology
• +3 more

Dr. Roger Marek is a Research Fellow at the Queensland Brain Institute within The University of Queensland, affiliated with the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. His work focuses on behavioural neuroscience , biological psychology , and fear memory mechanisms. Postgraduate Diploma in Neurosciences, University of Otago Masters (Coursework), University of Regensburg PhD in Neuroscience, The University of Queensland His research explores neural circuits mediating fear, extinction, and memory. He investigates how brain regions like the amygdala , prefrontal cortex , and hippocampus interact to regulate emotional responses, using techniques such as optogenetics and in vivo electrophysiology . His recent publications highlight advancements in neurotechnology (e.g., multi-OLED devices) and the biological basis of fear relapse . Key trends in his 15 most recent articles (2009-2023) include studies on fear extinction mechanisms , amygdala-prefrontal connectivity , optogenetic tools , and epigenetic influences on memory. These works span neuroscience , biomedical engineering , and molecular psychology . Amplify Fellow , Queensland Brain Institute ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (2020-2023) Dr. Marek has supervised and advised PhD students at the University of Queensland, focusing on topics like amygdala-prefrontal connectivity and medial prefrontal cortex roles in memory . He currently holds a Brain and Behavior Research Foundation Open grant (2024-2026) for research on memory engrams driving fear relapse.

• Memory and amnesia
• Diencephalic contributions to memory
• Mammillary bodies and thalamic nuclei
• +3 more

Professor Seralynne Vann is a full Professor in the School of Psychology at Cardiff University, where she leads an internationally recognised research programme investigating the neural substrates of memory, with particular emphasis on diencephalic and retrosplenial contributions to spatial and episodic memory. Her work integrates behavioural, electrophysiological, neuroimaging, and lesion approaches across rodents, non-human primates, and humans. Education BSc Experimental Psychology, University of Sussex PhD Neural Systems Underlying Spatial Memory, Cardiff University (MRC Studentship; supervised by Professor John Aggleton) Research Interests Prof Vann’s laboratory focuses on understanding how brain networks beyond the hippocampus—especially midbrain and medial diencephalic nuclei, mammillary bodies, anterior thalamus, and retrosplenial cortex—support memory formation and how these processes break down in amnesia and dementia. Employing convergent techniques such as in vivo imaging, immunohistochemistry, targeted lesions, MR imaging, and neuropsychological testing, her group pursues multi-level analyses ranging from single-cell activity to whole-brain networks. Her recent publications reveal patterns of mammillary body injury in neonatal stroke, volume reductions in schizophrenia, and the electrophysiological signatures of mammillary neurons across sleep–wake cycles, underscoring the translational relevance of basic circuit work. Scientific Awards & Fellowships BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship (2005–2009) Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship (offered 2004, declined) Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship (2011–2018) Current Funding & Collaborations Principal investigator on multiple BBSRC and Wellcome Trust grants totalling >£3 million since 2005. Current projects examine retrosplenial cortical contributions to spatial navigation and mammillothalamic pathway integrity in memory disorders. Active collaborations with researchers in Copenhagen, and ongoing international partnerships fostered by Cardiff University International Collaboration Seedcorn awards. Research Group Prof Vann heads a dynamic team comprising post-doctoral researchers, PhD students, and technical staff. Current members include Dr Beth Coad, Dr Chris Dillingham, Dr Beth Frost, Dr Michal Milczarek, Dr James Perry, and Mrs Heather Phillips. The group benefits from state-of-the-art facilities for in vivo imaging, electrophysiology, and high-field MRI housed within Cardiff University’s School of Psychology.

Agnes Gruart MassoView profile

Professor

• Associative Learning
• Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)
• Neuroprotection in Ischemia
• +7 more

Agnes Gruart Masso is a Professor at Universidad Pablo de Olavide , where she works in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology . Her academic career spans over three decades since her 1994 PhD thesis on classical conditioning of the corneal reflex under Dr. José María Delgado García. Key research areas: Associative learning mechanisms , Hippocampal synaptic plasticity , Neuroprotection in ischemia , and Cerebellar nuclei functions Current affiliations: Neuroscience Laboratory , PAIDI Biology and Biotechnology Her experimental work with alert behaving animals has revealed critical insights into synaptic plasticity through chronic in vivo models of Alzheimer's disease , Huntington's disease , and stroke . She pioneered techniques combining magnetic search-coil recordings with pharmacological interventions to study motor learning and cognitive processes . Recent publications demonstrate her focus on neuroinflammatory mechanisms (2024 study on IKKβ deletion), metabotropic receptor activation (2023 mGluR4 work), and neurodegenerative disease models (2023 Huntington's research). Her 2025 studies on presenilin inactivation and oligodendrocyte regulation continue expanding understanding of synaptic dysfunction in disease contexts.

Scott WaddellView profile

Professor

• Neural circuit mechanisms of memory
• Learning and memory in Drosophila
• Motivational control systems
• +3 more

Scott Waddell is Professor of Neurobiology and Wellcome Principal Research Fellow at the University of Oxford's Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour (CNCB) within the Medical Sciences Division. He leads an active research group investigating neural mechanisms of memory, motivation, and behavioral individuality in Drosophila (fruit flies). Waddell's research focuses on understanding how neural circuits encode, consolidate, and retrieve memories, with particular emphasis on: Neural circuit mechanisms of memory-directed behavior Motivational control systems that gate memory expression Dopaminergic reward pathways and their role in memory formation How nutrient sensing influences memory persistence The neural basis of behavioral individuality His laboratory has made several groundbreaking discoveries, including identifying specific neurons required for memory, demonstrating functional subdivision of mushroom body neurons for memory consolidation versus retrieval, and discovering how motivational states like hunger control memory expression through dopaminergic signaling. The group employs sophisticated techniques including optogenetics, two-photon microscopy, and advanced behavioral paradigiments to investigate these questions at cellular resolution. Waddell's work has revealed striking mechanistic similarities between flies and mammals in reward processing and memory mechanisms, while also uncovering unique aspects of Drosophila neurobiology. His research demonstrates that fundamental principles of neural circuit operation are conserved across species, making Drosophila a powerful model for understanding intelligence in all animals. Among his notable honors are: Wellcome Principal Research Fellow (2016-present) Wellcome Senior Research Fellow (2011-2016) Member of EMBO 2014 Liliane Bettencourt Prize for the Life Sciences Waddell supervises multiple PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who contribute to the lab's collaborative and interactive research environment. His group is currently working on understanding small neural circuits that support memory and direct behavior, with the goal of achieving cellular-level understanding of neural mechanisms of behavioral control.

• Neural Circuit Mechanisms
• Social Behavior Neuroscience
• Sex Differences in Neurobiology
• +4 more

Joe Terranova, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy at Midwestern University . With a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Georgia State University and dual bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, his work focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior. Ph.D., Neuroscience, Georgia State University (2017) B.S., Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2012) B.A., Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2012) His research investigates how neural circuits regulate complex behaviors, particularly in the context of psychiatric disorders. Key areas include observational fear , sleep-memory interactions , and sex-dependent neural regulation . He combines traditional neuroscience techniques like optogenetics and calcium imaging with deep learning-based behavioral analysis to uncover novel insights. Recent publications highlight his work on memory engram cells , hippocampal-amygdala circuits , and oxytocin's role in social fear . He actively supervises a lab team comprising medical students, MBS students, and research assistants, and welcomes new trainees.

• Zoonotic Diseases
• Wildlife Epidemiology
• Conservation Medicine
• +5 more

James Hassell serves as Assistant Professor Adjunct in the Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases at Yale School of Public Health, concurrently working as an epidemiologist and wildlife veterinarian with the Smithsonian's Global Health Program. His dual expertise bridges veterinary medicine and public health with a focus on Africa. BVetMed (Veterinary Medicine) MSc (Master of Science) PhD (Doctorate) Hassell's research centers on zoonotic disease transmission dynamics between wildlife, livestock, and humans in African ecosystems, employing geospatial analysis and advanced diagnostics to map pathogen flow through environmental interfaces. As a conservationist, he develops health interventions for endangered species including rhinos and Old World vultures while leading capacity-building programs for African veterinarians in conservation medicine. His work directly addresses ecosystem resilience and One Health frameworks through field-based epidemiological studies. His 2024-2025 publications reveal an unexpected interdisciplinary expansion into neuroscience, with seven high-impact papers exploring fear memory mechanisms, viral neuroinvasion pathways, and gut-brain axis interactions. These studies demonstrate methodological versatility across virology, neuropharmacology, and behavioral neuroscience, often utilizing rodent models and circuit-level brain mapping techniques. The recurring themes of neural plasticity in fear extinction and viral immune evasion suggest cross-disciplinary applications for his public health work. Currently enrolled in the European College of Zoological Medicine residency program for Wildlife Population Health, Hassell maintains active field operations through the Smithsonian's Global Health Program. His conservation medicine initiatives include specialized training protocols for African veterinary professionals and collaborative projects addressing wildlife-livestock-human disease interfaces in urbanizing African landscapes.

Michael DrewView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Learning and Memory
• Molecular Biology
• +9 more

Michael Drew is a Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education at the University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs within the College of Natural Sciences. His research focuses on understanding how the hippocampus forms and retrieves episodic memories, particularly in fear-related contexts, using genetic tools in mice. He has held postdoctoral fellowships at Columbia University (2004-2010) and earned a Ph.D. there in 2004. Dr. Drew’s work spans molecular biology, electrophysiology, and behavior, with a focus on neurogenesis, fear memory extinction, and stress effects on learning. He has received numerous awards, including the Regent’s Outstanding Teaching Award (2016), President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award (2020), and NIH grants like the NIMH Pathway to Independence Award (2008-2013). His lab investigates mechanisms of memory storage and retrieval, with implications for anxiety and stress-related disorders. His research highlights contributions of adult-born neurons to fear memory modulation and the role of hippocampal engrams in extinction and relapse. Collaborative studies with institutions like Columbia University and UT Austin have advanced understanding of neural circuits involved in learning and stress responses. Dr. Drew also emphasizes translational research, linking neurobiological findings to clinical applications in mental health.

Rasmus BrucknerView profile

Researcher

• Computational Neuroscience
• Decision Making
• Learning under Uncertainty
• +3 more

Dr. Rasmus Bruckner is a Group Leader and Researcher at the Neurocognitive and Experimental Psychology Department, Freie Universität Berlin, and a Post-doctoral researcher at the University of Hamburg. He co-leads the DFG Research Unit 5389 since 2024. His research focuses on computational models of learning and decision-making under uncertainty, leveraging behavioral and neuroimaging experiments to uncover neural and cognitive mechanisms. Key areas include lifespan learning differences, resource-rational computations, and uncertainty bias effects. Education: PhD, Psychology (Summa cum Laude), Freie Universität Berlin (2015–2020), advised by Hauke Heekeren M.Sc. Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin (2012–2015) B.Sc. Psychology, Radboud University Nijmegen (2008–2011) Research Interests: Computational neuroscience, decision-making under uncertainty, neuroimaging, lifespan learning dynamics, and adaptive learning mechanisms. Recent Article Trends: Recent work emphasizes uncertainty quantification, lifespan learning differences, and neural correlates of prediction errors. For example, his 2025 Psychological Review paper demonstrates lifespan learning differences via resource-rational models, while 2024 studies explore uncertainty-weighted prediction errors and adaptive integration of reward/perceptual signals. Grants & Awards: Co-PI in DFG Research Unit 5389 (since 2024). No named awards listed. Labs & Teams: Leads the Learning Lab at FU Berlin, focusing on simulation-based learning and neural mechanisms of decision-making. Collaborates with institutions like the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and the International Max Planck Research School LIFE.

Claudia ClopathView profile

Professor

• Computational Neuroscience
• Neurosciences
• Cognitive Sciences
• +5 more

Claudia Clopath is a Professor of Computational Neuroscience at the Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London. Her research focuses on understanding learning and memory mechanisms using computational and mathematical models. The Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, led by Prof. Clopath, collaborates closely with experimental groups to study synaptic plasticity, neural coding, and network dynamics. Key areas of interest include neuromodulation's role in learning, prediction-error circuits, and the interplay between hippocampal and cortical systems in memory consolidation. Her work bridges theoretical neuroscience and experimental findings, addressing questions such as how neural circuits encode and adapt to sensory experiences, form engrams, and enable adaptive motor control. Recent projects explore dopamine's role as a teaching signal, the structural basis of synaptic plasticity (e.g., filopodia and spines), and neural mechanisms underlying uncertainty estimation and predictive processing. Clopath's lab employs spiking neural network models, biophysical simulations, and data-driven approaches to dissect neural circuit functionality. Major contributions include models of supervised learning in spiking networks, inhibitory plasticity's role in network balance, and voltage-based synaptic plasticity mechanisms. Collaborations span neurobiology, AI, and neuromorphic engineering, advancing interdisciplinary insights into brain computation.