معرفی
Joy Hirsch is a Professor of Psychiatry, Comparative Medicine, and Neuroscience at the Yale School of Medicine. She directs the Brain Function Laboratory, which focuses on the neural mechanisms of social interactions using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Her work bridges single-brain and multi-brain neuroimaging to explore dynamic social behaviors under natural conditions.
- Education:
- PhD, Columbia University (1977)
- MA, Portland State University (1970)
- BS, University of Oregon (1967)
Research Interests:
Dr. Hirsch investigates the 'neuroscience of two,' emphasizing cross-brain neural synchrony and the 'interactive brain hypothesis.' Her lab develops multimodal technologies to study face-to-face interactions, focusing on conflict, cooperation, nonverbal cues, and social anxiety. Key themes include autism research, emotional contagion, and the impact of virtual communication on brain activity.
Scientific Trends:
Her recent articles highlight applications of fNIRS in psychiatric disorders, machine learning for neural diagnostics, and comparative studies of in-person vs. virtual interactions. Collaborations span interdisciplinary domains, including cognitive modeling, neuroimaging, and behavioral analysis.
- Scientific Awards:
- George Gamow Science Award (2009)
- Leah M Lowenstein Teaching Award (1990)
Advising and Grants:
Dr. Hirsch mentors students in social neuroscience and neuroimaging. She leads clinical trials, including Neural Mechanisms for Social Interactions and Eye Contact in ASD (HIC ID 1512016895), with primary completion in 2026.
Lab and Teams:
The Brain Function Laboratory, established at Yale in 2013, continues her legacy from Columbia's fMRI Research Center. The lab explores ecological validity in social neuroscience using head-mounted cameras, physiological sensors, and multimodal data synchronization.
