Andrew Leifer

Andrew Leifer is an Associate Professor of Physics & Neuroscience at Princeton University, affiliated with the Department of Physics and the Princeton Neuroscience Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Harvard University (2012) and an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. His lab focuses on understanding neural circuit dynamics in C. elegans, using optogenetics and calcium imaging to study how neurons collectively process sensory information and generate behavior.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biophysics, Harvard University, 2012
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, 2007–2012

Research Interests:
Explores the neural basis of behavior in C. elegans, emphasizing:

• Optical neurophysiology techniques (optogenetics, calcium imaging)
• Functional connectivity and signal propagation in neural circuits
• Role of inhibition in sensory processing and motor control
• Development of tools for high-throughput neural imaging

Key Achievements:

• Recipient of NIH Director's New Innovator Award (2025)
• NSF CAREER Award (2024)
• Investigator in the Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain

Lab & Collaborations:
The Leifer Lab develops novel microscopy technologies and computational methods to map neural activity across entire brains. Current projects include:

• Mapping global brain dynamics in response to stimuli
• Interrogating nonlinear components in neural circuits
• Characterizing sex-specific neuronal regulation