James A Simmons

James A Simmons is a Professor of Biology at Brown University with primary affiliation in the Department of Neuroscience. His research focuses on the biological sonar systems of bats, particularly the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), studying how these animals process ultrasonic, frequency-modulated echolocation sounds to create neural representations of their target scenes.

• PhD, Princeton University (1969)
• MA, Princeton University (1968)
• BA, Lafayette College (1965)

Simmons' research spans multiple dimensions of bat biosonar, including auditory system processing, target shape perception, clutter rejection mechanisms, and neural representation of acoustic environments. His work integrates neurophysiological, behavioral, and computational approaches to understand how bats create 'natural images' from neural reconstruction of target scenes. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how echolocating bats overcome challenges like range ambiguity in cluttered surroundings, how they process phase information for high-resolution spatial imaging, and how they segregate ambiguous pulse-echo streams.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on biosonar imaging mechanisms, with particular emphasis on how bats process complex acoustic environments. His work bridges neuroscience, sensory biology, and bioacoustics, with implications for biomimetic sonar systems and understanding neural computation principles.

• NIMH Research Scientist Development Award (Level II)
• Elected Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America
• Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Silver Medal in Animal Bioacoustics, Acoustical Society of America
• Elected Fellow, International Society for Neuroethology

Professor Simmons has mentored numerous students and collaborators who have contributed to his extensive publication record spanning over four decades. His teaching includes NEUR 0650/1065 (Biology of Hearing) and specialized courses like NEUR 1940B on Deep Learning in Neuroethology and Neuroethology. His research has been supported by various funding sources that enabled long-term investigation of bat biosonar systems, including development of sophisticated acoustic measurement systems and computational models of neural processing.