Indira M. Raman

Indira M. Raman is the Bill and Gayle Cook Professor and Chair in the Department of Neurobiology at Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. She holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on the ionic mechanisms underlying neuronal excitability and cerebellar physiology, with particular emphasis on ion channel biophysics, synaptic transmission, and the role of cerebellar circuits in motor control and learning. Raman is also Director of the Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neurosciences (NUIN) PhD Program.

Research Interests

Dr. Raman’s lab investigates voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels in neurons, exploring how these channels contribute to firing patterns and synaptic signaling in the cerebellum. Current projects examine cerebellar nuclear cell activity during motor behaviors, synaptic integration in Purkinje cells, and sex-specific neural responses in autism-linked mutations. Her work bridges cellular and systems-level neuroscience, employing electrophysiological, optogenetic, and behavioral approaches.

Professional Recognition

• 2014 NINDS Javits Award
• 2013 Bill and Gayle Cook Professorship
• 2010–2013 Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence
• 2004 Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award

Grants & Leadership

She has secured prestigious awards including the Klingenstein Fellowship and Sloan Foundation Fellowship. As Department Chair, Raman oversees undergraduate and graduate neuroscience education, including the Integrated Science Program. Her directorship of the NUIN PhD Program fosters interdisciplinary neuroscience training.

Labs & Teams

Raman’s laboratory is part of the Department of Neurobiology, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams across Northwestern’s neuroscience community. Her work intersects with studies of neurodevelopmental disorders and motor systems, leveraging state-of-the-art electrophysiological techniques.