Benjamin Clark

Benjamin Clark is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Mexico, specializing in the neurobiology of spatial navigation and memory. His research focuses on the impact of developmental alcohol exposure and Alzheimer’s disease on neural circuits involved in spatial cognition. He holds a Ph.D. from Dartmouth College and maintains an active laboratory studying rodent models of these conditions.

Education:

• Ph.D., Dartmouth College

Research Interests:

• Developmental alcohol exposure and its effects on spatial navigation and memory
• Neurobiology of Alzheimer’s disease
• In vivo electrophysiology and neural circuit manipulation

Recent Research Trends: Dr. Clark’s work emphasizes the use of rodent models to investigate alcohol-induced spatial deficits and Alzheimer’s-related spatial impairments. His studies frequently employ electrophysiological recordings and behavioral tasks like the Morris Water Task to assess neural and behavioral outcomes.

Advising & Students:

• Current advisees include Lilliana Sanchez (FASD and brain dynamics), Gabriela Acosta (thalamic-dependent memory), and Kehiry Trejo Rico (entorhinal spatial representation).

Labs & Resources:

• Clark’s lab focuses on integrating electrophysiological techniques with behavioral analysis to study spatial cognition. Visit his lab website for more details.