DeFelipe Javier

Javier DeFelipe is a Research Professor at the Instituto Cajal (CSIC, Spain), where he has led transformative research since 1991. His work focuses on cortical microorganization, synaptic connectivity, and technological advancements like FIB/SEM electron microscopy, contributing to understanding epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.

• Director of the Cajal Blue Brain Project (2009–present)
• Founded the Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales (CSIC/Universidad Politécnica de Madrid)
• Expert in correlating electron microscopy with functional neuronal markers

Research interests span cortical histology, synaptic organization in neurodegenerative diseases, and the historical intersection of neuroscience with art. His Laboratorio Cajal team integrates anatomists, physiologists, mathematicians, and computer scientists to develop tools for large-volume ultrastructural analysis.

Scientific awards:

• PROSE Award (2019) for Cajal’s Neuronal Forest in Biomedicine and Neuroscience
• British Medical Association Best Illustrated Book Award (2018)
• Honorary Member of the American Association of Anatomists (2013)
• Cajal Medal and Krieg Cortical Kudos Award (1999)