معرفی
John P. McGann is a Professor of Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience in the Psychology Department at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, with additional appointments in Cognitive Science and Otolaryngology. He directs the McGann Laboratory on the Neurobiology of Sensory Cognition, where his research focuses on understanding how the brain processes olfactory information through advanced imaging techniques and behavioral assessments.
Dr. McGann received his B.A. and M.S. in Psychology from Yale University in 1998, followed by a PhD in Neuroscience from Yale in 2003. His educational background established the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach to sensory neuroscience.
His research centers on the concept of 'sensory cognition' - how the brain uses learned information to anticipate and prioritize incoming sensory stimuli. The McGann Lab primarily uses the mouse olfactory system as a model to investigate neural representations of odors, neural processing of odor signals, behavioral assessment of olfactory perceptions, and the effects of neurotoxicants like cadmium and manganese on the olfactory system. Their work has revealed that sensory brain regions don't merely respond to stimuli but actively anticipate and prioritize based on experience and significance.
Analysis of Dr. McGann's recent publications shows a clear progression from fundamental investigations of olfactory neural coding toward understanding how experience, learning, and emotional states modulate sensory processing. His work increasingly explores the intersection of sensory neuroscience with emotional processing, particularly how fear learning enhances neural responses to threat-predictive odors. The lab has also made significant contributions to debunking the myth of poor human olfaction and demonstrating sex differences in olfactory processing.
- Award for Distinguished Contributions to Undergraduate Education at Rutgers (2012)
Dr. McGann has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. His lab has received generous funding for research on sensory neuroscience and neurotoxicology, with particular emphasis on understanding how environmental toxins affect the uniquely vulnerable olfactory system. The McGann Lab maintains active collaborations with Rutgers' Center for Sensory Sciences & Innovation and participates in the annual Flavor and Fragrance Symposium.
The McGann Laboratory operates state-of-the-art imaging facilities that allow researchers to observe neural activity in living, breathing mice as they process odors. The lab has developed specialized equipment including fluorescence imaging rigs, two-photon microscopy systems, and custom gas delivery systems for odor presentation. The research team combines molecular, cellular, systems, and behavioral approaches to understand the complete pathway from sensory input to perceptual experience.
