Brad Pfeiffer

Brad Pfeiffer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and an Endowed Scholar in Biomedical Research. He earned his Ph.D. under Kimberly M. Huber at UT Southwestern, studying synaptic mechanisms in Fragile X Syndrome, followed by postdoctoral training under David J. Foster at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on hippocampal function during spatial navigation. His lab investigates how experiences are encoded, consolidated into long-term memory, and recalled to guide behavior, using spatial navigation as a model system. Techniques include large-scale in vivo electrophysiological recordings of rodent hippocampal activity, examining place cells and replay phenomena.

Research emphasizes hippocampal dynamics, including the role of replay bursts (50–300 ms) in memory consolidation and decision-making. Key topics include synaptic plasticity, neuronal ensemble activity, and neural circuit interactions. His work bridges cellular mechanisms with behavioral outcomes, with implications for understanding disorders like autism and epilepsy. Notable recognition includes the Endowed Scholar award.

Advances in neurotechnology, such as lightweight recording devices for juvenile mice, complement his experimental approaches. Collaborative projects address translational outcomes, including clinical insights from animal models. The Pfeiffer Lab actively explores temporal coding, spatial cognition, and neural network dynamics, contributing to foundational knowledge in systems and cognitive neuroscience.