معرفی
Ashok Litwin-Kumar is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Columbia University, with appointments at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, and the Zuckerman Institute. His research bridges computational neuroscience and theoretical modeling to understand how neural circuits implement learning and memory processes.
Dr. Litwin-Kumar's research focuses on learning algorithms and their neural implementations, particularly investigating how organisms use past experiences to adapt current behavior and how these neural algorithms compare to those in machine learning and artificial intelligence. His work combines computational modeling with experimental collaborations, with a particular emphasis on Drosophila (fruit fly) neural circuits, synaptic plasticity, and connectome analysis. His lab develops well-constrained models of learning and neural dynamics, often incorporating detailed anatomical data to create biologically plausible computational frameworks.
His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on connectome-constrained neural network models, with significant work on Drosophila mushroom body circuitry, cerebellar-like structures, and dopaminergic learning systems. His research spans multiple scales from single neuron dynamics to circuit-level organization and behavioral output, demonstrating an integrated approach to understanding neural computation.
- Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award at the Scientific Interface (2017-present)
- National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship (2014-2017)
Dr. Litwin-Kumar's lab is supported by NSF grant #2443158 and maintains active collaborations with experimental neuroscience groups. His team develops computational tools for analyzing neural circuits and publishes regularly in top neuroscience and computational journals. The lab works at the intersection of theoretical neuroscience, machine learning, and experimental neurobiology, creating models that bridge abstract learning principles with biological implementation.
