Denise Cai

Denise Cai, PhD serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she leads a research program investigating the fundamental mechanisms of memory formation and storage. Her laboratory employs a multi-level approach integrating molecular, cellular, circuit-level, and behavioral techniques to explore how the brain optimizes its memory capacity and links memories across time.

• PhD, University of California, San Diego

Dr. Cai's research addresses profound questions about whether our brains will eventually 'max out' on memory storage capacity and how memory processes change with age. Her lab specializes in three primary research themes: memory capacity optimization strategies, temporal memory-linking mechanisms, and the role of sleep in memory consolidation. She utilizes advanced techniques including optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo imaging, and activity-dependent tagging to investigate hippocampal function, age-related cognitive deficits, and anxiety-related disorders. Her laboratory is particularly noted for developing open-source tools that advance neuroscience methodology while fostering collaborative research communities.

Analysis of Dr. Cai's recent publications reveals a strong focus on developing innovative neuroimaging technologies and understanding molecular mechanisms underlying complex behaviors. Her work bridges computational approaches with experimental neuroscience to address fundamental questions about memory dynamics.

• 2023 Friedman Brain Institute Scholar Award
• 2022 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Member
• 2021 Irma T. Hirschl/Monique Weill-Caulier Research Award
• 2019 NIH Director's New Innovator Award (DP2)
• 2019 NIMH Research Grant (R01)

Dr. Cai has secured substantial research funding including the prestigious NIH Director's New Innovator Award and NIMH R01 grant, supporting her innovative research program. She serves as an educator at Mount Sinai, having received the 2018 Outstanding Teaching Award, and actively mentors students and postdoctoral researchers in her laboratory.

Her laboratory maintains multiple facilities at the Hess CSM Building (10th Floor Room 116, 10th Floor Room 301, and 9th Floor Room 23) at 1470 Madison Avenue, equipped for advanced neuroscience research. Dr. Cai's commitment to the open-source movement has led to the development of valuable shared resources for the neuroscience community, including software tools for calcium imaging analysis and miniscope technology.