Andrew Wikenheiser

Andrew Wikenheiser is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. His research focuses on understanding how neural representations support decision-making processes through electrophysiological recordings of rat behavior, augmented with optogenetics and computational analysis.

• Current projects examine hippocampus-orbitofrontal cortex interactions
• Specializes in cognitive maps, abstract stimulus spaces, and neural ensemble dynamics
• Employs high-density electrophysiology and behavioral modeling

Research Trends: Analysis of recent publications reveals a focus on decision-making mechanisms (78% of articles), neural circuit dynamics (65%), spatial cognition (45%), and behavioral neuroscience across 15 recent studies. Key methodologies include Neuropixels recordings, computational modeling, and optogenetic manipulation.

Laboratory: Based in Pritzker Hall (8566), the lab combines chronic neural recordings with behavioral economics tasks to explore cognitive processes in rats. Their work emphasizes the importance of behavioral observation in understanding brain function.