معرفی
Jeff W. Lichtman is the Jeremy R. Knowles Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Santiago Ramón y Cajal Professor of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University. He leads the Lichtman Lab, focusing on neural circuit development, synaptic plasticity, and connectomics. His research combines advanced imaging techniques like Brainbow and electron microscopy to map neural connections, aiming to understand how experience shapes brain circuits. Notable contributions include the 'connectome' initiative, analogous to the Human Genome Project, and developing technologies such as the Automated Tape-Collecting Lathe Ultramicrotome (ATLUM) for high-resolution neural mapping.
Education: AB from Bowdoin College (1973), MD and PhD from Washington University (1980). Formerly at Washington University for 30 years before joining Harvard in 2004. Leadership roles include Dean of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (2023–present), director of the Harvard Center for Biological Imaging, and steering committee member of the Center for Brain Science. His work bridges neuroscience, computer science, and engineering, with collaborations on projects like the zebrafish brain imaging and octopus connectomics.
Research focuses on synaptic competition in development, axonal regeneration, and the structural basis of memory. Key projects include reconstructing the human cerebral cortex at nanoscale resolution and studying mental illness through neural circuit analysis. Over 200 publications span neuroimaging, synaptic plasticity, and technological advancements in microscopy.
