Christopher Braun

Dr. Christopher Braun is a Professor in the Psychology Department at Hunter College, CUNY, and serves as Special Advisor to the President for Science, Associate Provost for Research, and former Chair of the Psychology Department. He has been at Hunter College since 2001 and contributed to institutional leadership through roles such as co-chair of the Council of Chairs. His research focuses on sensory systems in animals, particularly fish, exploring how sensory perception shapes their understanding of the environment. He earned a PhD in Neurosciences from the University of California, San Diego.

Dr. Braun's academic contributions include over 50 peer-reviewed publications, with a focus on fish sensory biology, electroreception, and evolutionary adaptations in sensory systems. His work integrates neurophysiological, behavioral, and anatomical approaches to study sensory diversity. Key themes in his research include the evolution of hearing mechanisms in cichlids, the role of lateral line systems in fish navigation, and the impact of anthropogenic noise on aquatic sensory ecology.

His administrative roles reflect his commitment to academic research and institutional governance. He has secured grants to support collaborative research projects, such as the NSF-funded study on hearing diversification in Malagasy-South Asian cichlids. His lab at Hunter College investigates questions like: How do sensory systems evolve to optimize survival in specific environments? and What structural adaptations underpin sensory function in diverse fish species?

Awards and recognitions are not explicitly listed in the provided text, but his sustained research output and leadership roles highlight his academic influence. He advises students in the Psychology Department and collaborates with international researchers on projects related to fish sensory systems and evolutionary neurobiology.