معرفی
Michael J Higley is Professor of Neuroscience and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. He is a member of the Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair (CNNR) and the Wu Tsai Institute, and serves as Associate Director of the MD-PhD Program.
- Department of Neuroscience – Primary
- Department of Biomedical Engineering – Secondary
- Department of Psychiatry – Secondary
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program
- Kavli Institute for Neuroscience
- Wu Tsai Institute
Education:
- BA, Cornell University, 1998
- PhD, University of Pennsylvania, 2007
- MD, University of Pennsylvania, 2007
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Sabatini Lab, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Higley's research centers on the development, function, and plasticity of inhibitory GABAergic circuits in the neocortex. He investigates how the balance between excitation and inhibition is maintained by diverse interneuron subtypes, particularly somatostatin-expressing cells, and how neuromodulators like acetylcholine and norepinephrine regulate cortical dynamics. His work also explores cortical microcircuits in visually-guided behavior and models of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia using genetic and viral tools.
His recent publications (2020–2024) highlight advancements in mesoscopic and two-photon imaging, functional connectivity analysis, and the development of novel optical tools. These works reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach combining neuroscience, engineering, and computational methods to understand large-scale brain dynamics and behavior.
Scientific Awards:
- NIH Director's Pioneer Award
- Whitman Fellowship
- Inaugural Spector Award for Junior Neuroscientists
- Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Award
- NARSAD Young Investigator Award
- Sloan Research Fellowship
- Klingenstein Fellowship
Dr. Higley leads an active research program with significant grant support and collaborative ties with prominent neuroscientists including Jessica Cardin, Michael Crair, and others. He mentors trainees and contributes to academic leadership through his role in the MD-PhD Program. His lab develops and applies cutting-edge technologies to probe cortical circuits in health and disease.
Laboratory: Higley Lab, located at 100 College Street, Room 1020, New Haven, CT. The lab utilizes advanced techniques including in vivo imaging, optogenetics, electrophysiology, and viral vector strategies to study cortical function and dysfunction.
