Mayank R. Mehta is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), holding joint appointments in the Departments of Physics & Astronomy, Neurology, and Neurobiology. He is a member of the Brain Research Institute and the W. M. Keck Center for Neurophysics at UCLA. His research bridges experimental and theoretical neuroscience, focusing on how neuronal networks encode space-time, the role of brain rhythms in learning and memory, and the impact of sleep and virtual reality on neural dynamics. His recent publications highlight breakthroughs in understanding hippocampal spatiotemporal selectivity, dendritic activity during behavior, and the causal influence of visual cues on memory neurons. Notable findings include the discovery that dendrites generate ten times more spikes than neuronal cell bodies and the modulation of hippocampal theta rhythms in virtual reality. Research Themes: Neurophysics of spatial-temporal coding Dendritic contributions to learning Virtual reality and brain plasticity Neural oscillations in memory consolidation Key Collaborators: Bert Sakmann (Max Planck Florida Institute) Thomas Hahn (Bernstein Center Heidelberg/Mannheim) Maryam Ghorbani (UCLA) Mehta's lab at UCLA trains graduate and postdoctoral researchers in cutting-edge techniques combining hardware development, electrophysiological recordings, and biophysical modeling. His work has significant implications for treating learning and memory disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Gregor Schuhknecht is a Researcher and incoming Max-Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt, Germany. Starting December 2025, he will lead the Brain Algorithms and Circuits Group, focusing on computational neuroscience and neuronal circuitry in larval zebrafish. His work bridges experimental and computational approaches to understand brain algorithms enabling flexible behaviors. Education PhD in Neuroscience (2014–2019), Institute for Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich MSc in Biology (Neuroscience) (2012–2019), ETH Zurich BSc in Biosciences (2009–2012), Heidelberg University His research investigates how synaptic circuitry implements computational algorithms for sensorimotor processing, evidence accumulation, and behavior. Experimental approaches include functional imaging, optogenetics, connectomics, and computational modeling. The group will explore neuronal circuits across scales, from synapse to behavior, with a focus on biophysical properties and dynamic environmental adaptation. Recent publications highlight correlative light/electron microscopy, developmental activity-free circuit formation, and neocortical synapse analysis. Scientific Awards Meselson Prize (2024) Aspirational Neuroscience Award (2023) Best Publication Award (2021) Swiss National Science Foundation Fellowships (2021, 2019, 2018) Gregor Schuhknecht's lab will welcome graduate and postdoctoral researchers starting December 2025, focusing on experimental and computational systems neuroscience. He previously collaborated with Harvard University's Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and the Department of Moritz Helmstaedter for connectomic analyses.
Professor Guy Williams is a leading academic at the University of Cambridge with a focus on imaging science and clinical neurosciences, affiliated with Downing College and the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre . Holding a PhD in Physics from his initial Natural Sciences degree, he specializes in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MRI techniques for brain imaging. Education: BA, PhD in Physics His research centers on non-invasive imaging of brain structure and function, particularly in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and dementia. His work involves developing novel MRI pulse sequences and advanced data analysis algorithms, including AI-based diagnostic tools. He leads studies on white matter integrity post-trauma, longitudinal dementia assessment, and applications of MRI in disorders of consciousness and addiction. Recent publications highlight collaborations in traumatic brain injury outcomes, AI-guided dementia prediction, and neuroimaging of post-COVID cognitive deficits. His team's work on ultra-high field laminar fMRI and distortion correction methods has advanced clinical neuroscience applications. Key techniques include diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), 7 Tesla MRI, and positron emission tomography (PET/MR). His research spans from basic NMR physics to clinical translation, with a strong emphasis on multi-site studies and real-world diagnostic implementation.
Alicia Che is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and serves as Director of Graduate Admissions for the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program. She joined the Yale Department of Psychiatry in 2021 after completing her postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Natalia De Marco García at Weill Cornell Medical College and Dr. Gord Fishell at NYU. Her research is conducted through the Che Lab at Yale, where she investigates how early life experiences impact brain circuit assembly and mature function in models of psychiatric illness. Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program Center for Brain & Mind Health Division of Molecular Psychiatry Wu Tsai Institute Yale Center for the Science of Cannabis and Cannabinoids Dr. Che earned her Ph.D. in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut in 2014, where she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Joseph LoTurco. She received her B.S. with triple majors in Biology, Physics, and Physical Chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington state in 2009. Her research focuses on understanding developmental trajectories following early life experiences to develop diagnostics and early interventions for psychiatric illnesses. Dr. Che's research examines how sensory inputs, social bonding, stress, and substance exposure impact brain development. She employs a multi-dimensional approach to assess transcriptional, circuit, neuronal activity, and behavioral changes across the entire developmental timeline. Her lab currently focuses on four specific areas: the role of oxytocin in social behavior development, circuit dysfunction in PTSD, early-life cannabinoid exposure effects, and the impact of early life stress on development and adulthood. She utilizes advanced techniques including mouse genetics, slice electrophysiology, and longitudinal in vivo 2-photon imaging on behaving animals. Her most recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to understanding neural circuit development, PTSD mechanisms, and the effects of early life experiences on brain function. Her work spans from molecular neuroscience to behavioral outcomes, with publications in top journals including Nature, Neuron, and Nature Communications. Her research has revealed important insights into how translaminar neuronal activity strengthens cortical columns, how oxytocin facilitates social touch development, and how PTSD affects brain transcriptomics. NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2020) K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from NINDS (2019) Dr. Che's work has significant implications for understanding and treating neurodevelopmental disorders, PTSD, and the consequences of early life experiences on mental health. She collaborates extensively with researchers across Yale and beyond, with frequent co-authorship with colleagues including Lin Lin, Alex Kwan, and Christopher Pittenger. Her research program bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, aiming to translate findings into potential interventions for psychiatric conditions.
Carina Hanashima is a Professor at the Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences , Waseda University, Japan. Her research focuses on neuroscience , developmental biology , and molecular mechanisms underlying cortical development . She has held academic positions at Kobe University (2014.04-2018.03), RIKEN (2008.10-2017.03), Osaka University (2012.04-2015.03), and Nara Women's University (2007.09-2014.11). Research Interests Neuronal specification and cortical circuit formation Role of transcription factors (e.g., Foxg1, Robo1) in brain development Gene regulatory networks in neurogenesis Evolutionary origins of the neocortex Recent Trends in Publications : Her work explores transcriptional repression , axon guidance signaling , and developmental clock mechanisms in mammalian and non-mammalian models (chicks, mice). Key themes include neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism, schizophrenia), angiogenesis , and cell migration . Scientific Awards : Poster Award, Asia-Pacific Developmental Biology Conference APDBC (2012.10) Grants and Projects : Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grants-in-Aid (2016.06-2021.03, 2021.04-2022.03) RIKEN Joint Retreat Organizer (2011-2017) Labs and Collaborations : She leads the Hanashima Lab at Waseda University, focusing on spatiotemporal control in neuronal identity and neurovascular coupling . Her lab employs genetic lineage tracing , in situ hybridization , and in utero electroporation techniques.
Eilif B. MULLER is a Professor in the Department of Neurosciences at Université de Montréal, Principal Investigator of the Architectures of Biological Learning Lab (ABL-Lab) at CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, and Associate Faculty at Mila (Quebec AI Institute). His work bridges neuroscience and artificial intelligence, focusing on understanding how sensory perception is learned in the neocortex through biophysical simulations and deep learning models. He holds affiliations with IVADO (Institute for Data Valorization) and contributes to strategic initiatives like the UNIQUE Québec Center. His research integrates empirical neurophysiology with computational models, exploring dendritic processing and synaptic plasticity to inform both biological understanding and AI advancements. Teaches NSC-6044 and NSC-6045 (Neuroscience Colloquia) at Université de Montréal. Leads projects on neocortical learning mechanisms and their implications for neurodevelopmental disorders. Recipient of grants from CRSNG (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council), FRSQ (Health Research Fund), and institutional funding. Publications span topics in computational neuroscience, neural network modeling, and interdisciplinary AI-neuroscience research. Collaborates extensively across institutions to advance large-scale brain simulations and data-driven models.
Joshua Trachtenberg is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) . His research focuses on understanding how early sensory experiences shape synaptic and network connectivity in cortical circuits, particularly in the visual system. Key Research Areas: Mechanisms of experience-dependent cortical plasticity Role of vision in neural circuit development Molecular pathways in autism-related models Inhibitory interneuron dynamics Long-term in vivo imaging of dendritic spines Recent Publications highlight studies on dendritic spine clustering, critical period plasticity, and retinal cell type evolution, with methodologies spanning multi-photon imaging and single-cell transcriptomics. Funding Highlights: NIH R01EY027407 (Disinhibition & Visual Plasticity) NIH R01EY023871 (Inhibitory Circuit Regulation) NIH R01MH082935 (PTEN-Associated Autism Models) Labs & Collaborations include work with the Silva, Golshani, and Geschwind groups, focusing on synaptic stability, cortical dysfunction, and autism-related protein studies.
Dr. George Dragoi is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine, with affiliations to the Wu-Tsai Institute and the Dragoi Lab. He investigates the interplay between externally driven and internally generated neural representations to understand memory formation and spatial navigation. MD: Grigore Popa University of Medicine, Romania (1994) PhD: Behavioral and Neural Science, Rutgers University (2002) Postdoctoral Studies: Picower Institute, MIT His research focuses on hippocampal-neocortical networks, preconfigured neuronal assemblies, and generative grammars in the brain. He employs large-scale electrophysiology, optogenetics, and computational analysis to study memory mechanisms across development and adulthood, with implications for schizophrenia, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease. Recent publications highlight his work on Euclidean geometry’s role in hippocampal development (2024), memory reactivation during sleep (2024), and predictive coding in hippocampal circuits (2021). Collaborators include Usman Farooq, John Krystal, and Susumu Tonegawa.
Jing Wang is a Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, affiliated with both the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine and the Department of Neuroscience . She specializes in pain medicine, combining clinical practice with research on brain circuits and pain regulation. Dual MD-PhD training (Columbia University, 2004 and 2003 respectively) Leadership roles: Director of Interdisciplinary Pain Program and Vice Chair, Research, in Anesthesiology Her research interests focus on cortical pain mechanisms, computational neuroscience for pain decoding, and brain-machine interfaces. Key areas include: Glutamatergic projections in pain modulation Ketamine studies for postoperative pain Machine learning for neural biomarkers of chronic pain Psychedelics in pain treatment Current clinical trials include: Chronic Pain and Postoperative Cognitive Function in the Elderly EEG Biomarkers for Acute-to-Chronic Pain Transition Predictive Biomarkers in Chronic Pancreatitis Pain Her work bridges molecular neuroscience , clinical applications , and real-time neural engineering for pain management.
Gina Turrigiano is the Joseph Levitan Professor of Vision Science in the Department of Biology at Brandeis University. She is also affiliated with the Benjamin and Mae Volen National Center for Complex Systems and the Neuroscience Program. Her research focuses on understanding how neural circuits maintain stability while remaining adaptable through homeostatic plasticity mechanisms. Dr. Turrigiano earned her B.A. from Reed College and her Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego. Her educational background provided the foundation for her pioneering work in neuroscience. Her research centers on homeostatic plasticity mechanisms that allow brain circuits to self-tune during learning and development. The Turrigiano lab studies how neurons adjust their excitability to maintain constant firing rates despite external perturbations. A major discovery from her lab was synaptic scaling, a fundamental homeostatic mechanism. More recently, her work has explored how homeostatic mechanisms interact with classical forms of synaptic plasticity like LTP/LTD, and how sleep and behavioral states gate these plasticity processes. Her research has significant implications for understanding neurological disorders like autism, where homeostatic mechanisms may be disrupted. Analysis of Dr. Turrigiano's recent publications reveals a continued focus on the molecular and circuit mechanisms of homeostatic plasticity. Her work spans multiple levels of analysis from cellular/molecular to systems neuroscience, with particular emphasis on visual cortex as a model system. Recent publications explore the role of Shank3 in autism-related circuit dysfunction, the relationship between sleep and homeostatic regulation, and the distinct contributions of synaptic versus intrinsic homeostatic mechanisms to circuit stability. MacArthur foundation 'genius' award McKnight Foundation Technological Innovation and Neurobiology of Disease awards NIH director's pioneer award HFSP Nakasone Award Member of the National Academy of Sciences American Academy of Arts and Sciences fellow AAAS Fellow Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship Dr. Turrigiano has received substantial research funding including NIH Director's Pioneer Award, NINDS R35 MERIT Award, and multiple McKnight Foundation awards. She has served as President of the Society for Neuroscience and is a member of numerous scientific editorial and advisory boards. Her mentorship has been recognized with the Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship from NINDS. The Turrigiano lab has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to establish independent research careers. The Turrigiano lab operates within the Department of Biology at Brandeis University, with strong connections to the Neuroscience Program and the Volen Center for Complex Systems. The lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining electrophysiology, imaging, molecular biology, and behavioral analysis to study homeostatic plasticity mechanisms. Current research directions include investigating how homeostatic mechanisms interact with experience-dependent plasticity during critical periods of development, and how disruptions in these mechanisms contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
Paul R. Adams is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Stony Brook University's Renaissance School of Medicine. He joined Stony Brook in 1981 as an Associate Professor and was promoted to Professor in 1984, following prior faculty service at the University of Texas (1977-1981). His educational background includes a B.A. in Physiology and Pharmacology from Cambridge University (1968) and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from London University (1974). Professor Adams' research centers on computational neuroscience , investigating how synaptic modifications underlying learning are compromised by crosstalk between densely packed synapses. His pioneering Synaptic Darwinism theory proposes evolutionary mechanisms for cortical learning, including "Hebbian proofreading" where layer 6 neurons detect and correct learning errors. He further explores how inter-brain communication networks overcome individual learning failures through information sharing. His publication trajectory reveals consistent focus on mathematical modeling of neural plasticity, evolving from foundational Synaptic Darwinism concepts (1997-2002) to recent work on crosstalk minimization (2013-2014). Key themes include Hebbian learning constraints, cortical circuitry reinterpretation, and theoretical solutions to neural network limitations. Notable honors include the MacArthur Foundation Prize (1986), election as Fellow of the Royal Society (1991), and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigatorship (1987-1995). Professor Adams leads theoretical neuroscience research through the Kalypso Mind/Brain Center, collaborating with Research Assistant Professor Kingsley Cox. His HHMI-funded work has influenced understanding of cortical function relevant to autism, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. He serves on editorial boards including Frontiers in Neural Circuits . The Synaptic Darwinism project maintains active investigation into cerebral cortex principles, exploring implications for both neurological disorders and fundamental questions about consciousness.
Peter Jonas is the Magdalena Walz Professor for Life Sciences at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) since 2022, and has been a Professor at ISTA since 2010. Previously, he served as Professor of Physiology and Department Head at the University of Freiburg, Germany (1995–2010) and Associate Professor at the Technical University of Munich (1994–1995). Current Role: Group Leader, Cellular Neuroscience Key Techniques: Nanophysiology, Presynaptic Patch-Clamp, Two-Photon Ca2+ Imaging, Optogenetics, Functional Anatomy His research focuses on synaptic signaling mechanisms in the hippocampus, particularly how glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses contribute to network functions. He investigates: Biophysical signaling and plasticity at mossy fiber synapses Role of synaptic properties in higher network functions Calcium channel-vesicle coupling dynamics Modeling of synaptic and network-level phenomena The group employs in vitro and in vivo approaches, combining experimental and computational methods to decode brain function. Recent work highlights the structural and functional analysis of 'giant' cortical presynaptic terminals. Scientific Awards include: Magdalena Walz Professor for Life Sciences (2022) Peter Seeburg Integrative Neuroscience Prize (2021) EMBO Membership (2019) FWF Wittgenstein Award (2016) DFG Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Award (2006) His students and postdocs include PhD candidates Silvia Jamrichova, Peipeng Lin, Rebecca Morse Mora, and Priyansha Verma, alongside postdocs Katharina Lichter, Andrea Navas Olive, and Jake Watson. The lab also collaborates with technical staff and scientific computing experts.
Dr. Shuting Han leads a Junior Research Group at the University of Zurich under the Helmchen Lab, funded by the SNSF Ambizione Fellowship since 2024. She holds a Research Fellow position focusing on cortical dynamics underlying sensory processing and memory. Her research examines how distributed cortical areas interact during sensory processing and memory formation, utilizing multi-area two-photon calcium imaging, virtual reality behavior paradigms, electrophysiology, and advanced data analysis techniques. Key projects include investigating sensory representation in cortical areas, predictive processing in neural circuits, cortico-cortical interactions, memory consolidation across the neocortex, and developing high-throughput imaging methodologies. Her recent publications demonstrate expertise in cross-modal predictions, cortical microstates during consciousness alterations, and neural ensemble dynamics. She directs research on top-down predictive signals in neocortex and develops tools for volumetric neural imaging. SNSF Ambizione Fellowship Dr. Han mentors PhD students Maï Ly Leclair and Saidong Ma in the Helmchen Lab. Her group develops custom multi-area two-photon microscopes and applies machine learning for neural data analysis, bridging experimental neuroscience with computational approaches to decode cortical information processing.
Prof. Dr. Tobias Bonhoeffer serves as Director and Head of the Department of Synapses – Circuits – Plasticity at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Munich, Germany. His research focuses on synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, and the structural and functional dynamics of the visual system and hippocampus. Institution: Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence Department: Synapses – Circuits – Plasticity Academic Rank: Professor Research Interests encompass cellular and systems neurobiology, with specialized investigations into: Synaptic plasticity mechanisms Structural changes in dendritic spines Experience-dependent cortical circuit formation Memory relearning efficiency Functional mapping in visual cortex Neural adaptation in behaving animals Publications demonstrate expertise in neuroscience, particularly synaptic biology and neural circuit dynamics, with notable contributions to understanding cortical plasticity and hippocampal function. His lab has trained students like Sandra Reinert and Matthew McCann through the GSN program.
Onur Güntürkün serves as Professor for Psychology at Ruhr University Bochum and holds a Permanent Fellowship at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (Institute for Advanced Study). His academic career spans decades of pioneering research in comparative cognition, with a focus on evolutionary parallels between avian and mammalian cognitive systems. As a Permanent Fellow, he leads the "One Cognition" project investigating convergent evolution of cognitive abilities across species with vastly different neuroanatomies. Academic Background: Diploma in Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum Dr. phil. in Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum Güntürkün's research centers on the paradox of equivalent cognitive abilities emerging from radically different neural architectures—specifically how birds with tiny brains (3-25g) and no neocortex achieve cognitive feats matching chimpanzees. His work demonstrates that corvids and parrots exhibit identical cognitive capabilities to primates in working memory, problem-solving, and social cognition. He investigates whether algorithmic constraints or neural implementation bottlenecks drive this convergence, using working memory as a model system due to its well-defined parameters across species. His experimental approach integrates behavioral studies with neural circuit analysis to uncover universal principles of cognitive evolution. Analysis of his publication history reveals a consistent trajectory from foundational neuroanatomical studies toward theoretical frameworks for cognitive convergence. The most recent works (2021-2024) emphasize circuit-level homologies between avian pallium and mammalian neocortex, while earlier publications established birds as valid models for complex cognition. Key thematic clusters include neural lateralization mechanisms, sensory modality effects on cognition, and evolutionary constraints on information processing. His 2024 Trends in Cognitive Sciences paper synthesizes two decades of evidence showing birds solve mental problems using cognitive mechanisms nearly identical to mammals despite 300 million years of divergent evolution. Professional Recognition: Honorary Doctorate (Dr. h.c.) Güntürkün actively contributes to scientific discourse through invited colloquia, including an upcoming presentation at Wiko on November 25, 2025. While specific grant details aren't documented in the source material, his sustained research output and leadership in major projects indicate significant funding acquisition. His work bridges neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and cognitive psychology, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations evident in co-authored publications with researchers from diverse fields. As Principal Investigator of the "One Cognition" project, Güntürkün directs a research initiative examining why evolution repeatedly produces similar cognitive solutions across phylogenetically distant species. This work involves comparative analysis of neural circuits across avian and mammalian models, with particular focus on working memory constraints and neural implementation strategies. His laboratory at Ruhr University Bochum collaborates with international teams studying bird cognition, contributing to the growing paradigm shift recognizing avian intelligence as a powerful model for understanding universal cognitive principles.
