Citri Ami

Prof. Ami Citri is a prominent neuroscientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences. He holds a faculty position as Professor and leads the Citri Lab for Experience-Dependent Plasticity. His work focuses on understanding how the brain encodes experiences, particularly in regions like the claustrum, and explores neural mechanisms underlying addiction, attention, and synaptic plasticity. His research integrates molecular, synaptic, and behavioral approaches to unravel how salient experiences shape brain circuits and behavior.

Education and Positions:

• PhD in Biological Regulation (Weizmann Institute of Science, 2006)
• Postdoctoral Research (Stanford University, 2012)
• Current PI at Hebrew University of Jerusalem since 2012

Research Interests: His work bridges molecular mechanisms (e.g., transcriptional networks, non-coding RNA) with systems-level processes like attention, addiction, and learning. Key areas include:

• Role of the claustrum in attention and sensory processing
• Neural circuits driving drug addiction and compulsive behaviors
• Experience-dependent plasticity and memory formation

Awards and Recognition:

• ERC Consolidator Award (2018)
• CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar (2016)
• ADELIS Prize in Neuroscience (2015)

Grants and Collaborations: His lab has secured funding from major institutions including the European Research Council and Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. Collaborations span molecular neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, and systems neuroimaging.

Labs and Teams: The Citri Lab at the Goodman Brain Sciences Building houses a multidisciplinary team of PhD students, postdocs, and technicians investigating neural circuits using advanced techniques like fiber photometry and optogenetics.