Alison Barth is the Maxwell H. and Gloria C. Connan Professor in the Life Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, affiliated with the Department of Biological Sciences and the Neuroscience Institute. As a core faculty member of the Neuroscience Institute, her research focuses on neural circuitry, computational neuroscience, and synaptic processes, particularly examining how sensory experiences modify cortical circuits. Her work integrates advanced imaging and electrophysiological techniques to study learning and memory mechanisms, with a focus on somatostatin interneurons and their roles in cortical plasticity. Research Expertise: Neural circuits, synaptic plasticity, sensory learning, GABAergic inhibition, neurotechnologies like expansion microscopy, and neurodegenerative disease models. Affiliations: Biological Sciences Department, Neuroscience Institute (core faculty), and PNC Training Faculty. Her studies often involve mouse models to investigate experience-dependent changes in neuronal activity and connectivity, with recent work exploring the impact of reward contingencies on cortical inhibition and the molecular basis of synaptic reorganization in Alzheimer’s disease models. Dr. Barth collaborates on developing neurotechnologies such as Magnify microscopy for high-resolution neural circuit analysis.
Sheena Josselyn is a Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Physiology at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). She holds a Canada Research Chair in Brain Mechanisms underlying Memory and is affiliated with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) as a Senior Fellow, and the Royal Society of Canada as a Fellow. Education: B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology from Queen’s University, followed by a Ph.D. in Neuroscience/Psychology from the University of Toronto under Dr. Franco Vaccarino. Postdoctoral training included work with Dr. Mike Davis (Yale University) and Dr. Alcino Silva (UCLA). Research focuses on understanding how the brain encodes, stores, and utilizes information, particularly through memory engram studies in mice. Her work addresses disorders like autism, PTSD, and Alzheimer’s, aiming to inform therapeutic strategies. Key interests include synaptic plasticity, cell assembly dynamics, and translational neuroscience. Awards include the CCNP Innovations in Psychopharmacology Award and ACNP Effron Award, recognizing her contributions to neuropsychopharmacology and memory research. Labs/Teams: Leads research programs at SickKids and University of Toronto, focusing on neural mechanisms of memory and brain dysfunction in disease.
Takashi Kitamura is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW). His research focuses on neural circuit mechanisms underlying learning and memory, particularly involving the entorhinal cortex-hippocampal network. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Kyushu University and conducted postdoctoral work at MIT's Picower Institute before joining UTSW in 2017. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Kyushu University (Japan) Ph.D. in Biology, Kyushu University (Japan) Postdoctoral Researcher, MIT Picower Institute for Learning and Memory Research Interests: Kitamura’s lab investigates how hippocampal and entorhinal circuits encode episodic memories, including temporal and spatial associations. Key areas include: Neuronal ensembles and memory engrams Systems consolidation and its role in memory persistence Observational fear and social memory Neurobiological mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease Optogenetic and viral tools to manipulate neural circuits Publications: Recent work highlights studies on observational fear circuits, automated neural analysis methods, and the role of mediodorsal thalamus in fear-related activity. His lab integrates electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and behavioral assays to dissect memory processes. Awards: 2022: Distinguished Investigator Award, Japanese Society for Neurochemistry Lab Activities: Current projects explore hippocampal-amygdala interactions, temporal association learning, and mechanisms of memory dysfunction in Alzheimer’s. The lab collaborates with neuroscientists like Mark Henkemeyer and Carol Tamminga. Postdoctoral openings focus on innovative research in neural circuits and physiology.
Shin Yamazaki is a Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, leading the Yamazaki Lab focused on circadian rhythms and chronobiology. Previously, he held academic roles at Vanderbilt University from 2002–2013, including Research Associate Professor in the Biological Sciences Department. His research explores circadian clock mechanisms, food-entrainable oscillators, and neuropharmacological effects on rhythms. Research Interests: His work investigates circadian clocks in mammals, exploring how light, food, and drugs influence biological timing. Key areas include oscillator networks, metabolic rhythms, and behavioral adaptation to environmental cues. Publications: Recent studies highlight discoveries in multi-oscillator systems, methamphetamine’s impact on circadian clocks, and microbiota effects on behavior. These findings underscore the complexity of circadian regulation across molecular, cellular, and behavioral levels. Lab & Collaborations: The lab employs advanced techniques like real-time luminescence monitoring and genetic knockouts to study circadian systems. Collaborations focus on translational research linking circadian biology to health, including metabolism and neurobehavioral disorders.
Fredrik Johansson is an Associate Senior Lecturer at Lund University, affiliated with the Department of Associative Learning Cognitive Science. His research focuses on neurobiological mechanisms underlying learning, memory, and timing, particularly within cerebellar systems. He investigates classical conditioning pathways, alcohol's impact on neural learning processes, and Purkinje cell dynamics using electrophysiological and computational methods. Key research interests include cerebellar circuitry, synaptic plasticity, and the neural substrates of temporal processing. Collaborative work spans neurophysiology experiments and computational modeling to understand how cerebellar neurons encode duration and adapt to behavioral changes. His studies often involve in vivo electrophysiology and analysis of neural engram formation. Publications emphasize cerebellar learning mechanisms, with recent work exploring nucleo-olivary stimulation effects on climbing fibers and alcohol's role in disrupting conditioned responses. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, though his work contributes to foundational neuroscience knowledge. Advising and grants: No formal advisees or grant details provided in the text. Research is conducted within collaborative teams focusing on cognitive and neurobiological systems.
Michel van den Oever is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, holding dual affiliations with Amsterdam Neuroscience (Compulsivity, Impulsivity & Attention and Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Stress & Sleep programs). His research focuses on the neural circuitry underlying long-lasting episodic memories, particularly the stabilization of new memories into persistent remote memories. He employs mouse models of drug addiction and conditioned fear, combined with optogenetics and viral vector approaches to manipulate neuronal activity. His work bridges molecular plasticity with behavioral outcomes, aiming to dissect the spatial and temporal organization of cortical circuits in memory formation. Key research interests include synaptic engram dynamics, the role of astrocytes in memory retrieval, and the impact of stress on memory consolidation. He teaches courses on Behavioral Neurosciences and The Developing Brain , reflecting his expertise in neurobiological mechanisms. His team's contributions advance understanding of addiction, fear, and memory disorders, with implications for psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions.
Anton Maximov, PhD, is the Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), located in La Jolla, California. He holds a tenured position as an Associate Professor within The Dorris Neuroscience Center. His academic journey includes a PhD in Biology from the Russian Academy of Sciences (1998) and an M.S. in Biophysics/Biochemistry from St.-Petersburg State University (1996). Before joining TSRI, he completed postdoctoral training at UT Southwestern Medical Center, focusing on physiology and neuroscience. Maximov's research integrates experimental biology with artificial intelligence to reverse-engineer memory storage in the brain. His lab investigates hippocampal circuitry, synaptic connectivity, and experience-dependent plasticity. Techniques include optical imaging, serial electron microscopy, and computational modeling. Collaborations with institutions like NIH underpin projects aimed at understanding memory engrams and neural network dynamics. Research Themes: Structural basis of synaptic diversity and plasticity Role of inhibitory interneurons in memory circuits Genetic and epigenetic regulation of neural activity Development of molecular tools for neural circuit manipulation While no formal student advisees are listed, his lab employs a team of researchers and collaborators. Funding sources include NIH grants supporting projects on synaptic architecture and metabolic-neuronal activity links. The lab’s mission emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to combat memory disorders via foundational neuroscience discoveries.
William Marks is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), serving as the Undergraduate Teaching Lab Coordinator. He holds academic affiliations with the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and the Department of Neuroscience. His research focuses on neurovirology, specifically HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, and explores circuit physiology underlying learning and memory. He received his PhD in Neuroscience from Virginia Commonwealth University (2017), MA in Biology from SUNY Buffalo State (2012), and BS in Biology from Franciscan University of Steubenville (2009). His research investigates how HIV-1 Tat protein and morphine interact to disrupt neuronal function in striatal and hippocampal circuits, with a focus on synaptic plasticity, dendritic spine dynamics, and electrophysiological changes. He employs optogenetic techniques and in vivo calcium imaging to study temporal and contextual memory formation. Recent work highlights sex-related differences in cognitive deficits linked to HIV pathogenesis, revealing disruptions in Arc/Arg3.1 signaling pathways. Dr. Marks coordinates undergraduate neuroscience teaching labs, receiving a 2025 Instructional Improvement Award for developing virtual reality applications and physiological recording tools in lab curricula. His funded projects emphasize integrating advanced technologies to enhance neuroscience education. He has published extensively on neurovirology, drug neurotoxicity, and neural circuit mechanisms, with over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2015. Professional preparation includes a postdoctoral fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center (2018–2023), where he studied the neural circuits governing temporal and contextual memory integration. His work bridges basic neuroscience research with educational innovation, fostering student engagement through hands-on laboratory experiences.
Paul Frankland is a Professor (Status Only) at the University of Toronto and Senior Scientist in the Neurosciences & Mental Health program at the Hospital for Sick Children. He holds affiliations with the Department of Psychology, Department of Physiology, and Institute of Medical Science. He directs the JF Lab with Sheena Josselyn, focusing on cognitive neurobiology. Research Interests: His work explores systems consolidation, adult hippocampal neurogenesis, memory engram identification/manipulation, forgetting mechanisms, and memory development using murine models. The lab integrates behavioral neuroscience with cellular analysis to understand cognitive function and dysfunction. Recent Publications (2024-2025) demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches spanning neurogenesis, astrocyte function, autism genetics, memory development, and stress impacts on neural ensembles. Trends include advanced single-cell techniques and translational studies on neurodevelopmental disorders. Awards & Honors: Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neurobiology Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Member of CIFAR's Child and Brain Development program Academic Leadership: Advises 11 PhD/MSc students on projects involving memory systems, neurogenesis, and engram manipulation. Secured sustained funding through the Canada Research Chair program. Co-directs the JF Lab at SickKids Hospital, housing 25+ researchers across neuroscience disciplines.
Nobu Suto, Ph.D., is a research faculty member at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, affiliated with the College of Medicine and Science and the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. He leads an active research laboratory focused on the neurobiological basis of addiction, serving as a principal investigator and program director with a history of NIH-funded research. Education: Ph.D. in Psychology (Biological Psychology/Behavioral Neuroscience), University of Chicago M.A. in Psychology (Biological Psychology/Behavioral Neuroscience), University of Chicago B.A., University of California at Berkeley Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, NIH Dr. Suto's research investigates the neural mechanisms underlying compulsive behavior and relapse in drug and food addiction. His work spans three major areas: (1) brain mechanisms driving compulsive behavior across drug and food addiction, using murine models to identify punishment-resistant intake behaviors; (2) the intensification of drug craving during prolonged abstinence, focusing on transcriptional changes in drug-reactive neuronal ensembles; and (3) antidrug relapse mechanisms, particularly how drug omission cues recruit neurons in the infralimbic cortex to suppress relapse. His laboratory employs molecular, chemogenetic, optogenetic, neurochemical, and bioinformatic techniques to dissect neurocircuit-specific and cell type-specific adaptations. Although no specific publications are listed in the provided text, his research portfolio indicates a strong focus on identifying 'druggable' targets in the brain that could lead to novel antiaddiction medications effective across substance use disorders and eating-related conditions like binge-eating disorder and obesity. His work bridges basic neuroscience with translational applications in patient care. Scientific Awards: No specific awards mentioned in the text. Dr. Suto has been awarded seven National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants as a principal investigator and program director, reflecting sustained external funding and recognition of his research's significance. He mentors a research team and collaborates extensively with academic and industry partners nationally and internationally. His lab integrates gene sequencing, editing, data science, and analytical chemistry in a cross-disciplinary approach. Laboratories and Research Teams: Dr. Suto leads an independent research laboratory at Mayo Clinic, building on prior work initiated at The Scripps Research Institute. His team utilizes advanced neuroscience tools to explore addiction mechanisms, with a focus on relapse suppression and craving modulation. The lab operates within the research infrastructure of Mayo Clinic, leveraging core facilities and collaborative networks.
Prof. Susumu Tonegawa is a Nobel Prize laureate and a leading figure in neuroscience and immunology. He holds the position of Professor of Neuroscience at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he is also Director of the RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics. Additionally, he is an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, reflecting his significant contributions to biomedical research. His research primarily focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory. Utilizing genetic, molecular, and systems neuroscience approaches, his laboratory investigates how neural circuits in the brain encode, store, and retrieve memories. This work has profound implications for understanding cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, PTSD, and schizophrenia. Tonegawa's groundbreaking work in immunology, which led to his Nobel Prize, involved discovering the genetic principle for generation of antibody diversity. His later transition into neuroscience has been equally influential, pioneering optogenetic and genetic tools to dissect memory engrams. Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Tonegawa has advised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers over his career, although specific names are not listed in the provided text. His lab has been supported by major grants from the National Institutes of Health, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, RIKEN, and other international funding bodies. His interdisciplinary research bridges molecular biology, genetics, and cognitive science. He leads the RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics, a collaborative research initiative between MIT and Japan’s RIKEN Institute, focusing on the genetic and circuit-level analysis of memory. The lab employs cutting-edge technologies including optogenetics, CRISPR, and in vivo imaging to explore the biological basis of memory.
Susumu Tonegawa is the Picower Professor of Biology and Neuroscience at MIT and Director of the RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics. He holds positions at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and has led multiple research centers, including the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory. His work focuses on unraveling the molecular, cellular, and neural circuit mechanisms underlying learning and memory, with implications for neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Education: PhD in Biology from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Postdoctoral training at the Salk Institute and Basel Institute for Immunology. Research Interests: Tonegawa’s research explores memory formation, neural circuitry, and mechanisms of disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s. Key contributions include identifying memory engram cells and demonstrating their role in memory storage and retrieval. His lab investigates reward systems, fear extinction, and the neural basis of social memory. Awards: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1987), David M. Bonner Lifetime Achievement Award (2010), Gold Medal from Spain’s National Research Council (2007), and numerous honorary degrees. His work spans immunology, neuroscience, and neurobiology, with over 50 years of impactful research. Affiliations: MIT, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and advisory roles at institutions like the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.
Caitlin Lienkaemper is a Research Fellow at Boston University, affiliated with the Applied Mathematics and Dynamical Systems research groups. She holds an office in CDS 342 and can be reached at clienk@bu.edu. Her work bridges neuroscience, combinatorics, and dynamical systems, focusing on neural coding, network dynamics, and mathematical modeling of biological systems. Education: She earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from Penn State University in 2022, advised by Carina Curto. Her doctoral thesis, Combinatorial geometry of neural codes, neural data analysis, and neural networks , laid the foundation for her interdisciplinary research. Research Interests: Lienkaemper’s research integrates algebraic and geometric tools with neuroscience, exploring topics such as oriented matroids in neural data analysis, inhibition-stabilized neural networks, and olfactory system dynamics. Her recent work emphasizes low-dimensional structure in nonlinear systems and combinatorial approaches to neural code analysis. Publications: Her recent articles reflect a focus on neural network dynamics, olfaction models, and combinatorial methods. Key themes include mean-field theory, inhibition-driven network stability, and geometric interpretations of genetic interactions. Lienkaemper has presented her research at conferences like the Graduate Student Combinatorics Conference (2021) and the Fields Institute’s New Mathematical Methods for Neuroscience (2020), highlighting her contributions to theoretical and applied neuroscience.
Mark Ellisman is a Professor of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego's School of Medicine. He directs the National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR), a leading resource for advanced electron microscopy and 3D imaging technologies. His research integrates molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience with a focus on ultrastructural analysis of neural circuits, mitochondrial dynamics in neurodegeneration (e.g., Alzheimer's), circadian biology, and synaptic plasticity. Ellisman's work employs cutting-edge techniques including multiscale electron microscopy, correlated light/EM, and computational modeling. Key research themes include: Mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and neurodegenerative disorders Nanoscale architecture of synapses and memory engrams Mechanisms of neuroinflammation and vascular contributions to cognitive decline Development of novel imaging probes and computational tools for connectomics His publication trends emphasize high-resolution imaging of neural and subcellular structures (e.g., photoreceptors, synapses, chromatin), disease mechanisms in Alzheimer's/glaucoma, and circadian neuroplasticity. Recent articles frequently utilize genetically encoded tags for EM, volume EM reconstruction, and multimodal imaging. Ellisman leads major NIH-funded initiatives including the BRAIN Technology Resource for scalable electron tomography (MH129261), studies on mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's (AG081037), and instrumentation grants supporting advanced EM infrastructure. He mentors interdisciplinary teams at NCMIR developing open-source tools for large-scale EM data analysis.
Glenn M. Toney is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Medical Physiology at Texas A&M University. He holds dual fellowships from the American Heart Association (FAHA) and the American Physiological Society (FAPS). His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying cardiovascular regulation, opioid overdose interventions, and serotonin signaling in mood disorders. Education: BS in Zoology (Weber State University, 1988), PhD in Physiology (University of Louisville, 1992), postdoctoral training at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (1996). Research Interests: Cardiovascular Regulation: Investigating hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) mechanisms driving hypertension. Neuropharmacology: Developing oxytocin-based therapies to counteract opioid-induced respiratory depression. Serotonin Transporters: Studying OCT3 and SERT roles in fear memory formation and anxiety disorders. Neuroinflammation: Exploring salt intake effects on stress responses and neural activation. Key Awards: Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) Fellow of the American Physiological Society (FAPS) Grant Support: NIH-funded projects from NHLBI, NINDS, NIMH, and NIDA targeting hypertension mechanisms, opioid overdose, and serotonin signaling. Labs/Teams: Leads the Toney Lab focusing on neural control of autonomic functions, collaborating with researchers like Dr. Lynette Daws on serotonin transporter studies.
