Christopher D. Harvey

Christopher D. Harvey is a Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School and Director of PiN Admissions. His research focuses on understanding how neuronal circuits in the mammalian cortex perform computations related to decision-making, working memory, and spatial navigation. He utilizes advanced techniques including virtual reality, optogenetics, and computational modeling to study neural dynamics in mice. Harvey earned his Ph.D. from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and his B.S. from Vanderbilt University. He has received numerous awards, including the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award and the National Academy of Sciences Troland Research Award. His lab investigates cortical circuits using state-of-the-art imaging and behavioral paradigms to link neural activity to behavior.

Education:

• Ph.D., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 2008
• B.S., Vanderbilt University, 2003 (Biomedical Engineering and Molecular/Cellular Biology)

Research Interests:

Harvey's work combines experimental and theoretical approaches to study how cortical circuits encode information during navigation and decision-making. His lab develops tools like the Harvey Lab miniaturized VR rig and DeepEthogram for automated behavior analysis. Current projects include investigating error-correction signals in inhibitory neurons and the functional architecture of posterior cortical networks.

Awards:

• National Academy of Sciences Troland Research Award (2024)
• NIH Pioneer Award (2020-2025)
• Harvard Medical School Harold Amos Award (2022)
• Society for Neuroscience Young Investigator Award (2018)

Advising & Grants:

Harvey mentors a diverse team of postdocs and graduate students focusing on neurobiology and computational neuroscience. His funding includes NIH grants for studying cortical networks and mechanisms of decision-making. He has pioneered projects linking synaptic wiring to behavior and developed novel viral drivers for cell-type-specific studies.

Labs & Collaborations:

The Harvey Lab at Harvard Medical School collaborates with institutions like Janelia Research Campus and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Their work is supported by resources such as the DANDI Archive for open data sharing and GitHub repositories for code and experimental protocols.