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Brian WiltgenView profile

Associate Professor

• Memory Formation
• Systems Consolidation
• Hippocampal Function
• +7 more

Brian Wiltgen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Center for Neuroscience at the University of California, Davis. He is the director of the Wiltgen Lab, where he investigates the neurobiological mechanisms of learning and memory, with a focus on the hippocampus and neocortex. His research centers on systems-level consolidation and the stabilization of memories over time, using integrative methods including behavioral analysis, optogenetics, electrophysiology, and pharmacology in transgenic mice. Wiltgen's recent publications highlight key findings in memory reactivation, neural ensemble dynamics, and hippocampal contributions to contextual memory. His work spans high-impact journals like Neuron , Current Biology , and Learning & Memory , emphasizing the molecular and systems-level underpinnings of memory. McKnight Memory & Cognitive Disorders Award Whitehall Foundation Research Grant Alzheimer’s Association Young Investigator Award He advises research within his lab and contributes to academic training through teaching in biological psychology, cognition, and cognitive neuroscience. His lab is affiliated with major neuroscience societies, reflecting broad professional engagement. The Wiltgen Lab at UC Davis is dedicated to uncovering how the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves memories across the lifespan, with implications for neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders.

Alex KolodkinView profile

Professor

• Developmental Neuroscience
• Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
• Neural Circuits
• +7 more

Alex Kolodkin is a Professor of Neuroscience at the Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal connectivity during development, particularly through the function of guidance cues such as semaphorins and their receptors. He is actively involved in mentoring graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other trainees, and his lab employs both invertebrate and vertebrate models to study axon guidance, dendritic morphology, and synapse formation. His research interests span: Developmental Neuroscience Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Neural Circuit Assembly Laminar Organization in CNS Semaphorin and Plexin Signaling Retinal and Cortical Circuit Development The recent publications from his lab reveal a strong emphasis on the role of guidance molecules in organizing neural circuits in the retina and neocortex, including regulation of dendritic stratification, axon targeting, and synaptic specificity. Themes include transcriptional control of neuronal fate, cytoskeletal regulation, and post-translational modifications impacting receptor function. Scientific awards and honors are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Dr. Kolodkin has trained numerous successful scientists who have gone on to academic and research positions worldwide. His lab receives research funding to support projects in neural development, though specific grants are not listed. He is affiliated with the Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB) Graduate Program, the Neuroscience Training Program, and the Cellular and Molecular Medicine program at Johns Hopkins. His laboratory investigates the origins of laminar organization in the CNS, with specific focus on the mouse retina and neocortex, using genetic manipulations and neuroanatomical analyses in both fly and mouse models.

Lee FletcherView profile

Academic

• Neuroscience
• Neurophysiology
• Neuronal Circuitry
• +4 more

Lee Fletcher is a Senior Research Fellow in Physiology at Monash University, specializing in understanding how neurons compute information across subcellular, neuronal, and circuit levels. Previously, he held postdoctoral positions at the University of Queensland and UCL, with a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Queensland (2019). His research explores perception, cognition, and conscious agency through investigations into dendritic integration, neocortical circuits, and neuromodulation. Education : PhD in Neuroscience (Dendritic integration in principal neurons of the primary visual cortex), University of Queensland (2019). Research Interests : Neuronal mechanisms of decision-making Cholinergic modulation of cortical circuits Dendritic computation in sensory systems Neuroplasticity and synaptic adaptation Awards : NHMRC Emerging Leadership Investigator Grant (2024). Projects & Grants : Leading a 5-year project on spatiotemporal patterning of dendritic computations in the neocortex (2025-2029). Collaborates with Prof. Stephen Williams and co-directs the Australasian Course of Advanced Neuroscience. Community Engagement : Trustee of the Biodiversity and Environmental Education Society (BEES), founder of the UK's first nature guide training program, and mentor through the Brilliant Club.

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Human Brain Evolution
• +9 more

Nenad Sestan is the Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor of Neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine, with additional professorial appointments in Comparative Medicine, Genetics, and Psychiatry. He is based in the Department of Neuroscience and holds secondary affiliations in the Child Study Center, Comparative Medicine, Genetics, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. He serves as Executive Director of the Genome Editing Center at Yale and leads the Sestan Lab, which is affiliated with the Wu Tsai Institute, Yale Stem Cell Center, and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience. His research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying human brain development, evolution, and disorders. He employs cutting-edge techniques including single-cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, and human neural stem cell models to study cortical development, neural circuit formation, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as lissencephaly. His work bridges genomics, developmental biology, and neuroscience to decode the origins of human brain complexity. Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding cortical layer and area specification, the molecular basis of claustro-amygdalar circuits, and the transcriptomic landscapes of mammalian cortical development. His research also extends to organ recovery mechanisms and the genomic underpinnings of brain evolution through large-scale projects like the human and non-human primate developmental GTEx. Innovative Research Award, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience (2022) Sestan has mentored numerous trainees and maintains extensive collaborations, particularly with researchers such as Mark Gerstein, Flora Vaccarino, and Alexej Abyzov. His lab receives support from major grants and contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives in brain science, stem cell research, and genome editing. He is a principal investigator in several high-impact studies exploring human cortical development and disease modeling using organoids and single-cell technologies. He is actively involved in the scientific community through leadership in the Genome Editing Center and participation in collaborative research studios focused on RNA science, neurodevelopment, and regenerative medicine. His work continues to advance the understanding of human brain development and its disorders, with implications for therapeutic innovation.

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

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

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

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

James SmithView profile

Lecturer

• Public Health
• Climate Change
• Sustainability
• +2 more

James Smith is a public health doctor and general practitioner based at the University of Cambridge. He delivers public health teaching for the University of Cambridge Clinical School and works independently to protect and improve health by supporting action to address climate change and promote sustainable development. His work is associated with Cambridge Public Health, which appears to be part of the University's structure with physical location in the Department of Engineering at Trumpington Street, Cambridge. Dr. Smith's educational background includes: Masters in Public Health from Cambridge University Bachelors degree in Medicine from Cambridge University James Smith's professional focus centers on the critical intersection of public health and climate change. He has established programs that integrate sustainability within public health frameworks, emphasizing how climate action directly impacts community health outcomes. His work as a sessional GP in Cambridge complements his public health teaching and climate action initiatives. He has developed extensive teaching materials and actively contributes to public health education at the university level, with particular emphasis on creating healthier, more equitable communities through sustainable development. Analysis of his publication record reveals an interesting dichotomy - while his professional profile emphasizes public health and climate action, his scholarly publications focus predominantly on neuroscience and Alzheimer's disease research spanning from 2018 to 2005. These works cover stem cell models, neurodegenerative mechanisms, and molecular pathways, suggesting possible early career research that differs from his current public health focus. Dr. Smith has received the following honors and recognitions: Fellow of the UK Faculty of Public Health Member of the UK Royal College of General Practitioners National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's Scholars programme East of England NHS Leadership Fellows programme Professionally, James Smith has held several significant positions. From 2013-2014, he established Public Health England's Sustainability Programme, integrating climate change, extreme weather, and sustainable development initiatives. His five years of professional public health training included work with the NHS Sustainable Development Unit, the Centre for Diet and Physical Activity Research, and local public health teams in Suffolk and Bedfordshire. Before specializing in public health, he completed medical training and worked as a general practice doctor. Dr. Smith maintains an active blog where he explores climate-health connections, fossil fuel divestment campaigns in Cambridgeshire, and political dimensions of climate action. He has written extensively about cycling infrastructure, comparing Cambridge with Copenhagen, and advocates for local action on climate change as a public health imperative. His work is fundamentally motivated by 'the desire to create a better, healthier, fairer world for everyone,' emphasizing practical community-level interventions that address both environmental sustainability and health equity.

Lawrence I. GrossmanView profile

Professor

• Mitochondrial Molecular Genetics
• Cytochrome c Oxidase Regulation
• Mitochondrial Disease Mechanisms
• +4 more

Lawrence I. Grossman, PhD is the Henry L. Brasza Professor of Molecular Medicine and Genetics and Director of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics at Wayne State University School of Medicine, where he also holds a professorship in Internal Medicine. His laboratory is located in Scott Hall and focuses on mitochondrial molecular genetics, with particular emphasis on cytochrome c oxidase (COX) regulation and mitochondrial disease mechanisms. Grossman earned his PhD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1971, establishing a long and distinguished career in mitochondrial research. His educational foundation has supported decades of pioneering work in mitochondrial genetics and function. Dr. Grossman's research centers on mitochondrial molecular genetics, with particular focus on cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and its regulators. His lab investigates how mitochondria, as semi-autonomous organelles with their own DNA, cooperate with the nucleus to maintain cellular energy production. A major focus is on mitochondrial disease mechanisms, including genomic approaches to understanding population disease susceptibilities. The lab also studies the evolutionary emergence of the enlarged neocortex, the brain's most highly oxygen-utilizing tissue. Recent work has increasingly emphasized MNRR1/CHCHD2, a bi-organellar protein that regulates metabolism in mitochondria and functions as a transcription factor in the nucleus, with implications for cancer, pregnancy complications, and metabolic disorders. Analysis of Dr. Grossman's recent publications (2021-2024) reveals a strong translational focus, with significant work connecting mitochondrial function to clinical conditions including preterm birth, preeclampsia, ovarian cancer, and viral infections. His research demonstrates a clear trajectory from basic mitochondrial mechanisms toward understanding their role in human disease pathophysiology, with particular emphasis on the dual-function protein MNRR1/CHCHD2. Dr. Grossman actively mentors graduate students, currently accepting new M.S. students for 2025-2026 while not accepting new Ph.D. students during that period. His laboratory has produced numerous publications with collaborators across multiple disciplines, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary connections. The Grossman Laboratory operates as part of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, which functions as a campus-wide unit responsible to both the Dean of the School of Medicine and the Vice President for Research at Wayne State University. The lab employs biochemical, molecular biological, and computational approaches to investigate mitochondrial energy regulation, with particular emphasis on cytochrome c oxidase isoforms and their tissue-specific regulation.

Satoru KondoView profile

Associate Professor

• Neural Circuits
• Synaptic Organization
• Visual Information Processing
• +3 more

Satoru Kondo is a Project Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Physiology at The University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Medicine and a Specially Appointed Associate Professor at the International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN). He also serves as Core Manager of the Imaging Core facility. His academic journey includes a PhD in Medicine from The University of Tokyo (1995), preceded by graduate studies at Tokyo Institute of Technology and undergraduate training at Kanazawa University. His research focuses on understanding neural circuits for visual information processing using advanced imaging techniques. Key interests include: Synaptic organization in visual cortical pathways Neuronal integration mechanisms via two-photon microscopy Functional microarchitecture of orientation selectivity In vivo analysis of synapse dynamics and glial interactions Kondo's publications demonstrate consistent focus on visual neurophysiology, with recent work emphasizing synaptic input architecture and large-scale neural imaging. His 25+ articles show progression from molecular neuroscience to systems-level circuit analysis. Awards & Recognition: Human Frontier Science Program Long-Term Fellowship (1995) Research Leadership: He leads multiple funded projects including AMED-supported development of novel bio-optical imaging techniques (2021-2024) and JSPS-funded work on synaptic input mechanisms (2020-2023). As Imaging Core Manager, he oversees advanced microscopy resources for neuroscience research.

Madeline LancasterView profile

Professor

• Human Brain Development
• Cerebral Organoids
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• +5 more

Professor Madeline Lancaster serves as an Affiliate Professor at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and Group Leader in the Cell Biology Division of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the University of Cambridge. With her laboratory situated on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, she leads pioneering research in human brain development using cerebral organoid technology she helped establish during her postdoctoral work at the IMBA in Vienna. Dr. Lancaster completed her biochemistry studies at Occidental College in Los Angeles before earning her PhD in biomedical sciences from the University of California, San Diego in 2010. Her groundbreaking work developing the first brain organoids began during her postdoctoral training in the Knoblich lab at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, where she established the foundational techniques for cerebral organoid culture. She joined the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in 2015 where she continues to advance this technology. Her research program focuses on understanding the fundamental differences between human brain development and that of other mammalian species, examining what makes human brain development unique. The Lancaster lab utilizes cerebral organoids - 3D tissues generated from stem cells that model human brain development in vitro - to investigate neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and intellectual disability, while also conducting comparative evolutionary studies to identify factors involved in human brain size expansion. Analysis of her recent publication record reveals a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated organoid models with enhanced physiological relevance, including air-liquid interface systems, vascularized models, and assembloids that better capture neural circuitry. Her work spans fundamental developmental biology, disease modeling, and cross-species evolutionary comparisons, with growing emphasis on functional maturation and electrophysiological properties of organoid systems. As a Group Leader, Professor Lancaster mentors a diverse research team including postdoctoral researchers and graduate students working across multiple projects related to brain development and disease. Her laboratory maintains strong collaborations across the Cambridge research community and internationally, contributing significantly to the development of organoid technology standards and applications. The Lancaster lab operates within the advanced research environment of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, utilizing cutting-edge facilities including bioinformatics, electron microscopy, genomics, imaging, and single-cell platforms available through the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute core facilities. Her work continues to push the boundaries of what organoid models can reveal about human-specific aspects of brain development and disease.

Michael BerryView profile

Associate Professor

• Neural Computation
• Neuroscience
• Computational Biology
• +3 more

Michael Berry is an Associate Professor at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute (PNI), Princeton University. His research focuses on understanding how neural microcircuits perform complex computations, particularly in the retina and neocortex. Position: Associate Professor Department: Princeton Neuroscience Institute Email: berry@princeton.edu Research Interests Neural computation in microcircuits Predictive coding mechanisms in visual processing Population coding and error correction Collaborative optical imaging studies with Tank Lab Lab Overview The Berry Lab investigates how neuronal populations encode information through collective activity modes, using multi-electrode arrays and theoretical models like Maximum Entropy and Hidden Markov Models.

• Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Neural Networks
• +3 more

Christos Sourmpis is a current member of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) , affiliated with the LCN1 (Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Computation) and LSENS (Laboratory of Sensory Processing) units. His research focuses on neuroscience and computational neuroscience , particularly in understanding neural circuits, sensory processing, and reward learning mechanisms. University: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) Lab Affiliation: LCN1, LSENS Email: christos.sourmpis@epfl.ch Research Interests Christos Sourmpis investigates the neural basis of sensory-motor integration , contextual fear responses , and striatal dopamine signaling . His work combines biologically informed cortical models with optogenetic perturbations to study neural dynamics in goal-directed behavior. Key areas include spiking neural networks and data-constrained modeling to capture variability in neural systems. Scientific Contributions His recent publications (2023-2024) highlight trends in neuroscience , with a focus on neural circuits , optogenetics , and reward learning . His studies explore distributed encoding in the neocortex and the role of dopamine in striatal function, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches between biological systems and computational models . Labs & Collaborations Christos Sourmpis is associated with the LCN1 and LSENS labs at EPFL. His work involves collaborations with prominent researchers like Wulfram Gerstner and Sylvain Crochet , supported by funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation .

Zhizhong LiView profile

Researcher

• Neuroscience
• Chemical Biology
• Neurobiology
• +1 more

Zhizhong Li is a Researcher affiliated with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , focusing on neuroscience and chemical biology. His work examines the structural and functional organization of the mammalian brain. Research Focus: Neural circuits, cortical development, and neurogenesis Co-authors: Shi, Zhang, Ren, Lin, Sultan His recent publications highlight mechanisms of neurogenesis and microcircuit connectivity, particularly in the neocortex. Key trends include the role of Protocadherin 19 in cortical organization and the development of chandelier cells in late neurogenesis. He has contributed to high-impact journals such as Neuron and Nature Communications , often collaborating with researchers like Shi Shen and Lin Sheng.

• Neural Stem Cells
• Adult Neurogenesis
• Brain Development
• +5 more

Arturo Alvarez-Buylla is a Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine and a member of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. His research focuses on neural stem cells, adult neurogenesis, brain development, and neural transplantation therapies. He leads multiple NIH-funded research projects including R01MH122478, R01NS113910, R01EY025174, P01NS083513, R37HD032116, and R37NS028478. Dr. Alvarez-Buylla's research interests center on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural stem cells in the adult brain, particularly within the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ). His work explores cortical interneuron development, neural circuit assembly, and the potential for cell-based therapies for neurological disorders. His laboratory investigates how neural stem cells generate diverse neuronal types during development and how these processes might be harnessed for brain repair. A significant portion of his recent research has focused on human brain development, examining molecular and cellular dynamics at single-cell resolution. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on the ventricular-subventricular zone as a neural stem cell niche, cortical interneuron specification and survival, and the application of neural transplantation for restoring neural function. His work spans from fundamental developmental biology to translational applications, with particular interest in using GABAergic interneuron transplantation to treat epilepsy and restore cortical plasticity. Dr. Alvarez-Buylla collaborates extensively with leading researchers in the field, including Arnold Kriegstein, John Rubenstein, and Manuel Garcia-Verdugo. His laboratory has trained numerous postdoctoral fellows and graduate students who have gone on to establish independent research careers in neuroscience.

Daniel LimView profile

Professor

• Long Noncoding RNA (lncRNA)
• Neural Stem Cells
• Genome Architecture
• +7 more

Daniel Lim , MD, PhD, is a Principal Investigator at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), mentoring students and postdoctoral fellows in neuroscience, genomics, and neurosurgical innovation. His lab focuses on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), genome architecture, and neural stem cell biology. Research Priorities : lncRNA functions (e.g., Pnky), nuclear genome organization in neurodevelopment and disease, epigenetic regulators in glioma, and CRISPR-based screening. Lab Alumni : Former trainees hold faculty positions (e.g., Miao Cui at Harvard/Boston Children’s), industry roles (e.g., Martina Malatesta at Bristol Myers Squibb), and clinical/residency positions. Collaborative Projects : Include cancer epigenetics, glioblastoma radioresistance, and interventional MRI-guided cell transplantation. Recent Publications highlight lncRNA therapeutic targets, spatial 3D genome organization, and multiscale tumor heterogeneity analysis. His work spans Science , Nature Neuroscience , and Cell journals.