S. Murray Sherman

S. Murray Sherman is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on thalamic functional organization, corticocortical communication, and thalamocortical interactions, primarily using mouse and cat models. He employs interdisciplinary approaches including neuroanatomical techniques, in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, and 2-photon calcium imaging.

• Education: B.S. in Biology from Caltech (1965), Ph.D. in Neuroanatomy from University of Pennsylvania (1969), Postdoctoral training at Australian National University (1972).

Research Interests center on synaptic and circuit properties of thalamocortical systems, modulatory effects of metabotropic receptors, and evolutionary perspectives on cortical control. His work examines how thalamic relays shape sensory processing, attention, and cognition.

Recent publications highlight transthalamic pathways, corticothalamic feedback mechanisms, and comparative studies across species. Key themes include synaptic integration, neural plasticity, and dual modes of thalamic relay (driver vs. modulator).

• Scientific Awards:
  • Honorary M.A. degree, Oxford University (1985)
  • Guggenheim Fellow (2000-2001)
  • Guest Professor, University of Science and Technology of China (1998-2000)
  • Newton Abraham Visiting Professor, Oxford (1985-1986)
  • Dr. Lee Visiting Research Fellow, Oxford (2000-2001)
  • Professorial Fellow, St. John’s College, Oxford (2010)

Grants from NIH include studies on thalamocortical interactions (R01NS094184), visual cortex-thalamus relationships (R01EY022338), and sensory system processing (R01DC008794). His lab investigates neural circuits in awake, behaving mice to bridge behavioral and cognitive parameters with neurophysiology.