Alan Jasanoff

Alan Jasanoff is a Professor of Biological Engineering and Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Director of the Center for Neurobiological Engineering. He is also an Associate Investigator at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research. His research focuses on developing advanced imaging techniques to study brain function and behavior, with a particular emphasis on molecular-level neuroimaging using MRI and other non-invasive methods.

His lab, the Jasanoff Lab, pioneers cutting-edge approaches such as calcium-dependent molecular MRI, magnetic nanosensors, and genetically encoded reporters to visualize neural signaling and plasticity across the brain. Key interests include understanding how molecular and cellular processes underpin cognition, studying neurochemical dynamics (e.g., dopamine and serotonin), and exploring interactions between the brain and peripheral systems.

Jasanoff has authored influential works like The Biological Mind, which challenges traditional views of brain autonomy and highlights the interdependence of brain, body, and environment in shaping human behavior. His contributions have been recognized through collaborations in neuroengineering and biotechnology, with applications in both animal and potential human studies.

Publications span topics from molecular fMRI probes to neuroengineering innovations, reflecting interdisciplinary expertise in chemistry, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering. His team’s work integrates synthetic biology, nanotechnology, and imaging science to advance translational research in brain health and disease.