Andrew M Wikenheiser

Andrew M Wikenheiser is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), affiliated with the College of Letters and Science. His work bridges neuroscience, psychology, and decision-making science through experimental and computational approaches.

• Academic Appointments: Psychology Faculty, UCLA

Research Focus: Dr. Wikenheiser investigates neural mechanisms underlying decision-making, reward processing, and cognitive mapping. His studies explore how brain structures like the orbitofrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum encode value, task structure, and environmental uncertainty. He employs rodent models to study foraging behavior, temporal cognition, and cocaine-induced neural adaptations.

Recent Trends: His 2025 publications highlight innovations in chronic neural implants (Neuropixels) and sex differences in reward-based decisions. Earlier works examine theta oscillations, striatal cell-type specificity, and hippocampal sequence dynamics in relation to cognitive maps and decision-making.

Collaborations: Regular co-authors include Alicia Izquierdo (UCLA), Kate Wassum (UCLA), and Anne Churchland (UCLA). His work intersects with computational psychiatry and addiction neuroscience.