Pawan Sinha

Pawan Sinha is a Professor of Vision and Computational Neuroscience at MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. He holds a PhD from MIT's Computer Science Department, following undergraduate studies at IIT Delhi and initial graduate work at UC Berkeley. His lab investigates how the brain learns visual perception through experience, focusing on object recognition, memory encoding, and neuroplasticity in conditions like autism. The lab's Project Prakash combines clinical treatment for visually impaired children with neuroscience research. Sinha has received prestigious awards including the PECASE and Troland Award, and his teaching excellence has been recognized by MIT's Dean’s Award. Beyond academia, he engages in adventure sports, art, and whimsical projects, including a Guinness World Record for the smallest printed book. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, merging science with societal impact through initiatives like the Prakash Care Network.

Education

• Bachelor's in Computer Science, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
• Master's and PhD in Computer Science, MIT

Research Interests

His work bridges computational modeling and experimental neuroscience to understand perceptual development. Key areas include:

• Visual learning mechanisms in congenitally blind individuals
• Neuroplasticity in autism spectrum disorder
• Bio-inspired AI models (e.g., Brainformer, Quantum-Brain)
• Art's role in perception studies

Recent studies explore facial recognition under varying conditions, motor prediction deficits in autism, and white matter plasticity post-cataract surgery.

Awards & Recognition

• Pisart Vision Award (2023)
• PECASE (2021)
• Troland Award (2020)
• Global Indus Technovator Award (2019)

Lab & Outreach

The Sinha Lab collaborates internationally via Project Prakash, providing medical care while advancing science. They emphasize diversity, ethical research, and global health equity. Funding partners include NIH, Simons Foundation, and MIT initiatives.