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Ikuko SmithView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neural Circuitry
• Dendritic Computation
• +3 more

Ikuko Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on elucidating the cellular and network mechanisms of neural circuitry, particularly the role of dendritic spikes in information processing. She employs advanced techniques such as electrophysiology, two-photon imaging, and behavioral analyses to study sensory perception and neural circuit dynamics. Research Interests: Dr. Smith investigates how dendrites contribute to synaptic computations and their functional roles in behaving animals. Her work highlights the computational power of dendritic spikes and examines their integration into microcircuitry. Techniques include patch clamp recordings from distal dendrites and novel imaging technologies like the Cousa objective for multiphoton imaging. Recent Articles Trends: Her recent work explores unconventional NMDA receptors, mesoscale cortical architecture, and neuroimaging software advancements. She also examines interneurons’ impact on synaptic integration and the ripple effects of single neurons in network dynamics. Labs/Teams: Her lab develops cutting-edge imaging tools and studies dendritic computation in vivo. Collaborations span neurotechnology and systems neuroscience.

Michael GoardView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neural Circuits
• Visual Processing
• +3 more

Michael Goard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), part of the College of Letters & Science. His lab focuses on understanding cortical circuits underlying visual processing, decision-making, and navigation using advanced techniques like two-photon calcium imaging, optogenetics, and electrophysiology. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Reed College (2004) and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from UC Berkeley (2009). As a postdoc at MIT, he pioneered methods for imaging and manipulating neural activity in behaving mice. His research explores how the brain integrates sensory information with internal states to guide behavior, with a focus on retrosplenial cortex circuits linking environmental context to motor choices. He has received grants from the NIH BRAIN Initiative, NSF NeuroNex, and the Whitehall Foundation. His lab is supported by the Hellman Fellows Fund and the Harvey Karp Discovery Award, among others. Key contributions include discoveries about stimulus-dependent neural drift in primary visual cortex, stable naturalistic movie representation, and the role of retinoic acid in retinal degeneration mitigation. The lab collaborates within UCSB's vibrant neuroscience community and employs cutting-edge tools to study spatial navigation, decision-making, and cortical circuit dynamics. Education: B.A. Psychology (Reed College), Ph.D. Neuroscience (UC Berkeley) Techniques: Two-photon imaging, optogenetics, electrophysiology Awards: NIH BRAIN Initiative Grant (2021), Whitehall Foundation Grant (2019), Hellman Fellowship (2017) Lab Affiliations: UCSB Neuroscience Research Institute, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics collaborations

Kirsten AdamView profile

Assistant Professor

• Visual Working Memory
• Visuospatial Attention
• Attentional Lapses
• +3 more

Kirsten Adam is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University, affiliated with the Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience Research Interest Group. She earned her Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Chicago (2018), an M.S. in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Oregon (2014), and a B.A. in Biological Sciences from the University of Notre Dame (2012). Her work focuses on understanding how attention and working memory operate under constraints, employing EEG, fMRI, and behavioral methods. She investigates how attentional failures impact memory performance, the neural mechanisms underlying these lapses, and the role of sensory history in distractor suppression. Her research also emphasizes methodological advancements, including EEG-based prediction of memory load and large-scale reliability studies of cognitive measures. Key research themes include: Visual working memory limits and their neural correlates Attentional control and distractor suppression Fluctuations in attention and their cognitive consequences Development of reliable behavioral and neural measures for cognitive processes Her recent work highlights the importance of attentional consistency in achieving working memory capacity and demonstrates how repeated exposure to distractors modulates early sensory processing. She has also pioneered multivariate EEG approaches to track real-time memory load and identity representation. While no awards are explicitly listed, her contributions to cognitive neuroscience methodologies suggest recognition in the field. Her lab at Rice University continues to explore the intersection of attention, memory, and neural plasticity, with ongoing projects on feedback-driven improvement of cognitive performance and the temporal dynamics of working memory systems.

Oriel FeldmanHallView profile

Associate Professor

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Social Psychology
• Affective Neuroscience
• +8 more

Oriel FeldmanHall is an Associate Professor of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences at Brown University. She holds a Doctorate from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University. Her research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying social behavior, including trust, cooperation, moral decision-making, and social network dynamics. She employs interdisciplinary methods from cognitive neuroscience, behavioral economics, and network science, using tools like neuroimaging and computational modeling. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the APA Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution (2022), the Cognitive Neuroscience Society Young Investigator Award (2022), and the NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2017). She teaches courses such as 'Social Psychology' (CLPS 700) and 'The Moral Brain' (CLPS 1760). Funding for her research comes from the National Science Foundation, NIH, and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. FeldmanHall's lab investigates how humans navigate social environments, emphasizing the role of emotion and uncertainty in decision-making. Recent studies explore cognitive maps of social networks, emotion prediction errors, and the neural basis of political polarization. She emphasizes the integration of theoretical and empirical approaches to advance understanding of complex social cognition.

David M BersonView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Retinal Physiology
• Circadian Rhythms
• +3 more

David M Berson is the Sidney A. Fox and Dorothea Doctors Fox Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Brown University's Department of Neuroscience. He has been affiliated with Brown since 1985, completing both undergraduate studies (AB, 1975) and a postdoctoral fellowship there after earning his PhD in Neuroscience from MIT (1980). His research focuses on the structure and function of retinal ganglion cells, particularly their roles in encoding visual information and regulating circadian rhythms. Key discoveries include identifying intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), which directly transmit light information to brain centers for circadian entrainment and pupillary reflexes. Research interests span retinal physiology, neuroanatomy, and circadian biology, with a focus on how retinal circuits encode light intensity and motion. His work integrates electrophysiology, genetic tools, and anatomical tracing to characterize ganglion cell diversity and their neural pathways. Notable grants include an NIH R01 (2014-2024) studying mammalian ganglion cells and previous funding on phototransduction mechanisms. Publications highlight themes like ipRGC signaling in mood regulation, retinal inhibitory circuits, and light-driven behaviors. Awards include the Friedenwald Award (2015) and AAAS Fellowship (2009). Teaching roles include directing an advanced neuroanatomy lab course (Neur 1650) and contributing to medical neuroscience education. Collaborators include Jerome Sanes and Gilad Barnea, with active participation in professional societies like the Society for Neuroscience.

Monica LindenView profile

Teaching Professor

• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
• Neuroscience Education
• +3 more

Monica Linden is a Teaching Professor of Neuroscience at Brown University, specializing in equity-minded pedagogy and neuroscience education innovation. She holds a PhD and BS in Neuroscience from MIT. Her work focuses on curriculum development, DEI initiatives in STEM education, and fostering inclusive learning environments. She has received over 30 teaching and mentorship awards including the 2022 Barrett Hazeltine Citation and 2019 Carol Ann Paul Educator Award. Her research emphasizes Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), with notable contributions to diversity rubrics for academic departments and anti-racist pedagogy frameworks. She teaches undergraduate courses in Neural Systems, Neurobiology of Learning, and specialized topics like the Amygdala's role in emotion. Current initiatives include 'ungrading' approaches and transparent assignment design through TILT frameworks. Key Affiliations: Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN), Society for Neuroscience (SfN), PULSE Life Sciences Education Network Leadership Roles: FUN Diversity Committee Co-Chair (2021-22), ERIN Educational Resources Editor (2011-14)

• Neurophysiology
• Visual Perception
• Vision Science
• +3 more

Michael A. Paradiso is the Sidney A. Fox and Dorothea Doctors Fox Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Science and Professor of Neuroscience at Brown University. He has been a faculty member since 1990 and serves as Director of Biology and Medicine. His research focuses on brain mechanisms underlying vision, particularly neural encoding in primary visual cortex (V1) and interactions between perception and neural activity. Paradiso chairs the NIH/NEI Central Visual Processing Study Section and directs a Vision Research Training Grant. Education: PhD in Physics (Brown University, 1984), MS (Brown, 1981), BA (Pomona College, 1978). Key honors include the Elizabeth H. LeDuc Teaching Award and Fox Professorship. He co-authored the leading neuroscience textbook Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain , now in its 4th edition and translated into 6 languages. Research emphasizes visual perception dynamics, including effects of natural scenes, saccadic eye movements, and contextual modulation. Major contributions include identifying V1's role in brightness perception, lightness constancy, and filling-in phenomena. His work bridges neurophysiological recordings in macaques with human perceptual experiments. Funding: Active NEI grants totaling $1.5M+ support studies on neural mechanisms of visual perception. Completed grants include Whitehall Foundation (1991-1994) and NIH NEI projects (1993-2006). Teaching: Course director for NEUR 0010 (Introduction to the Brain), one of Brown's most popular courses. Award-winning educator recognized for excellence in teaching life sciences. Professional roles: Editorial boards for Journal of Vision and Vision Research ; former executive committee member of Vision Sciences Society. Collaborators include Stuart Geman (Applied Mathematics) and John Donoghue (Neuroscience).

Brad DuchaineView profile

Professor

• Face Perception
• Prosopagnosia
• Neuropsychology
• +3 more

Brad Duchaine is a Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College. His research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying social perception, particularly prosopagnosia (face blindness) and prosopometamorphopsia (face perception distortions). He directs the Social Perception Lab and Prosopagnosia Research Center, utilizing neuropsychology, psychophysics, and neuroimaging techniques. Education: B.A. in Psychology from Marquette University (1994), Ph.D. in Psychological and Brain Sciences from UC Santa Barbara (2001). Research emphasizes face perception disorders, developmental neurocognitive deficits, and genetic influences on cognitive abilities. His work bridges clinical neuropsychology with basic neuroscience, exploring neural substrates of visual recognition. Current grants include NSF-funded studies on eye movements in developmental prosopagnosia and NIH research expanding understanding of the condition beyond facial recognition deficits. Key contributions include demonstrating the heritability of face recognition skills and refining models of face-processing neural networks. His lab collaborates internationally, advancing diagnostic tools and interventions for perceptual disorders.

Yingchen HeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Visual Processing
• Accessibility Technology
• Vision Rehabilitation
• +3 more

Yingchen He is an Assistant Professor in the Human Factors and Applied Cognition Program at NC State's Department of Psychology. She directs the Translational Vision Research Lab, focusing on cognitive psychology, engineering, and health intersections. Her work addresses visual processing limitations caused by eye diseases and develops assistive technologies to improve accessibility for visually impaired individuals. Education: B.S. Biological Sciences and Psychology from Beijing University (2011), Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from University of Minnesota (2017). Postdoctoral training at University of Minnesota's Department of Ophthalmology. Research interests include visual constraints in daily tasks, accessibility technology, brain plasticity from vision loss, and retinal implant optimization. Publications emphasize prosthetic vision evaluation, website accessibility for blind users, and thermal sensor integration for navigation. Her lab collaborates with industrial partners to advance assistive technologies. Labs/Teams: Translational Vision Research Lab (www.translational-vision-research.org) focuses on translational research from basic visual neuroscience to practical solutions. Current projects include optimizing retinal implants, developing adaptive training protocols, and evaluating assistive tech usability.

Igor KaganView profile

Researcher

• Neurophysiology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Decision-Making
• +4 more

Dr. Igor Kagan is a Group Leader at the Decision and Awareness Group within the German Primate Center in Göttingen, Germany, affiliated with the University of Göttingen. His research focuses on neurophysiological and imaging studies of decision-making, cognitive functions, and visuomotor processes in primates, with emphasis on interhemispheric interactions and cross-species comparisons between humans and monkeys. Education: PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Harvard Medical School (2003), B.Sc. in Biology from Tel Aviv University (1996), and prior studies in Biophysics at St. Petersburg State Technical University (Russia). His postdoctoral training included work at Caltech’s Andersen Lab (2003–2010). Research Interests: Neurophysiology of decision-making circuits, functional imaging of neural networks, neural basis of fMRI signals, and active vision mechanisms in the primary visual cortex. His work integrates pharmacological inactivation, behavioral paradigms, and functional imaging to study goal-directed behaviors. Publications Highlight Contributions to understanding pulvinar and parietal cortex roles in spatial decisions, neural reorganization after inactivation, and species differences in visual processing. His articles explore mechanisms underlying saccade choices, reward-driven motor planning, and cortical plasticity. No scientific awards explicitly mentioned. Active in mentoring through his research group and affiliated with GGNB’s Systems Neuroscience and Theoretical Neuroscience programs.

Caspar M. SchwiedrzikView profile

Researcher

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Neuroimaging
• +3 more

Dr. Caspar M. Schwiedrzik is a Group Leader at multiple institutes in Göttingen, including the European Neuroscience Institute (ENI), German Primate Center (DPZ), and Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences. He holds affiliations with Georg-August-University Göttingen's Faculty of Biology and Psychology. His research focuses on neural circuits underlying visual learning and cognition, combining neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and primate studies. Education: 2003-2008: Psychology studies at University of Konstanz 2008-2011: PhD at Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt 2012-2016: Postdoc at Rockefeller University, New York Research interests center on how the brain learns and generalizes visual information across time and complexity scales. Key themes include feedforward/feedback neural communication, perceptual memory, and invariant representation formation. Methodologies involve fMRI in humans and electrophysiological recordings in non-human primates. Publications highlight topics like social cognition networks, perceptual learning variability, and prefrontal cortex roles in memory. His work bridges systems neuroscience and cognitive theory, with affiliations in GGNB's Systems Neuroscience and Neurosciences (IMPRS) programs. Current positions include leadership roles at three institutes, emphasizing collaborative, comparative approaches to understanding neural mechanisms of intelligence.

Michael ArcaroView profile

Assistant Professor

• Developmental Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Sensory Systems
• +3 more

Michael Arcaro is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in developmental and cognitive neuroscience. His research combines neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and behavioral experiments to investigate how experience shapes visual system development across primate species. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy from Boston University and a Ph.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience from Princeton University. Key research focuses include visual cortex organization, face perception mechanisms, and the interaction between intrinsic brain architecture and sensory experience. His lab is part of the Thalamus Conte Center, studying thalamocortical networks in healthy human brains, and has received grants such as the Whitehall Foundation award for studying visual domain development constraints. Recent work highlights discoveries about neonatal pulvinar connectivity (Current Biology 2024), evolutionary expansion of primate visual cortex (PNAS 2025), and histological distinctness of face patches in macaques (Cell Reports 2024). The lab welcomes graduate students applying for Fall 2025 admissions. Notable collaborations include studies with Livingstone at Harvard and Kastner at MPI for Brain Research, emphasizing cross-species comparative approaches. Ongoing projects explore how prenatal and postnatal visual experiences sculpt neural circuits critical for object recognition and spatial processing.

Fred WolfView profile

Professor

• Theoretical Neurophysics
• Biological Network Dynamics
• Computational Neuroscience
• +5 more

Prof. Fred Wolf is a Professor of Dynamics and Biological Physics at Georg-August-University Göttingen and Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization. He serves as Director of the Göttingen Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks and holds leadership roles in multiple interdisciplinary initiatives, including the German Research Foundation Priority Program on Evolutionary Optimization of Neural Processing and the Max Planck School Matter to Life. His research focuses on theoretical neurophysics, integrating computational models with experimental data to understand neuronal circuit evolution, sensory information processing, and biophysical mechanisms of neural networks. Wolf’s academic career includes roles such as Head of the Research Group 'Theoretical Neurophysics' at the Max Planck Institute, Director of the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, and Co-director of the Collaborative Research Cluster 'Physics to Medicine'. He holds honorary professorships and has been a Fellow of the American Physical Society since 2015. His research interests emphasize evolutionary principles of neural networks, dynamics of large-scale cortical circuits, and high-bandwidth encoding by neuron populations. He combines ergodic theory, non-equilibrium statistical physics, and advanced imaging techniques to study synaptic nanoarchitecture and neural plasticity. Wolf leads interdisciplinary teams at the interface of physics, neuroscience, and biophysics, contributing to initiatives like the Multiscale Bioimaging Excellence Cluster. Notable awards include the APS Fellowship, and his work spans collaborations across institutions such as the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has directed training programs like the Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition and the International Max Planck Research School Neurosciences.

• Neuroscience
• Language Acquisition
• Cognitive Psychology
• +5 more

Elissa L Newport is a Professor at Georgetown University and serves as the Director of the Center for Brain Plasticity and Recovery. She holds the George Bergeron Professorship across Neurology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Psychology, and Linguistics. Previously, she was the George Eastman Professor at the University of Rochester, where she chaired the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences for 12 years. Education: Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania (1975), B.A. with Honors in Psychology from Barnard College. Research Interests: Dr. Newport investigates language acquisition, brain plasticity, and recovery from early-life brain injuries. Her work combines neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and linguistics to explore hemispheric specialization, statistical learning, and neural reorganization after stroke. Scientific Awards: Fellow, Association for Psychological Science Fellow, Society of Experimental Psychologists Fellow, Cognitive Science Society Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow, National Academy of Sciences William James Lifetime Achievement Award Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science American Psychological Association Distinguished Contribution Award Grants: Supported by NIH, NSF, McDonnell Foundation, and Packard Foundation. Labs: Leads the Learning and Development Lab and the Pediatric Stroke Research Project, focusing on language recovery mechanisms and developmental plasticity.

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Computational Modeling
• +3 more

Nick Turk-Browne is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Yale University and Director of the Wu Tsai Institute. He holds secondary appointments in Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, and the Child Study Center at Yale School of Medicine. His research integrates behavioral studies, neuroimaging, and computational modeling to explore cognitive and neural systems in humans, with a focus on memory, perception, and learning. He pioneered techniques for brain imaging in infants and toddlers, revolutionizing studies of early cognitive development. Turk-Browne has received numerous awards, including the Troland Research Award (2025), and his work is funded by federal agencies, foundations, and corporate partners. Education: HBSc in Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence (University of Toronto, 2004); PhD in Cognitive Psychology (Yale University, 2009). Former faculty at Princeton University (2009–2017). Research emphasizes understanding how cognitive systems interact in the brain, with contributions to episodic memory, visual perception, and developmental neuroscience. Key achievements include demonstrating hippocampal memory encoding in infants and advancing multimodal brain activity analysis.