معرفی
Paul Miller is a Professor of Biology at Brandeis University and a member of the Volen National Center for Complex Systems. His research focuses on computational neuroscience, integrating dynamical systems theory with experimental data to understand neural mechanisms underlying decision-making, memory, and sensory processing. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Bristol (UK) and a B.A. from Cambridge University. Before joining Brandeis in 2000, he was at Georgetown University and conducted postdoctoral work in theoretical physics at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Education:
- B.A., Cambridge University (1991)
- Ph.D., University of Bristol (1994)
Research Interests: Computational Neuroscience emphasizes modeling neural circuits for short-term/long-term memory, decision-making processes, and the dynamics of neural ensemble activity. His work bridges theoretical approaches (e.g., hidden Markov modeling, spiking neuron networks) with experimental data from cortical and hippocampal systems. He explores how quasistable attractor states enable robust computation and how homeostatic mechanisms stabilize neural activity.
Notable Contributions: Developed models explaining how integral feedback control enables robust sequential decision-making, elucidated synaptic mechanisms for spatiotemporal discrimination, and analyzed the role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in long-term memory stability. His textbook An Introductory Course in Computational Neuroscience (MIT Press) is widely used in graduate programs.
Labs/Teams: Leads the Computational Neuroscience Lab at Brandeis, collaborating with experimentalists to validate theoretical models. Active in interdisciplinary projects involving neurophysiology, systems biology, and mathematical neuroscience.
