Thomas Christophel

Dr. Thomas Christophel is a Junior Group Leader at Humboldt University Berlin's Institute of Psychology (Faculty of Life Sciences), leading the Distributed Cognition and Memory research group affiliated with Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (BCAN) at Charitéplatz 1.

His research integrates fMRI neuroimaging with machine learning to decode distributed neural representations during working memory tasks. The lab investigates how sensory and non-sensory brain regions dynamically allocate memory contents to minimize interference, and how categorical neural codes (e.g., for color) emerge during retention.

Recent work demonstrates multi-modal storage strategies across visual/auditory cortices and reveals region-specific neural coding schemes in ventral visual stream areas. The lab develops advanced pattern analysis tools for overlapping neural representations.

Award highlights include:

• Emmy Noether Research Group Grant (DFG)

The lab maintains active supervision of students including Chopurian, Kang, Seabra, and Gui, emphasizing transparent mentorship and inclusive collaboration. Current projects explore verbal strategies in spatial memory and interference-minimization mechanisms, supported by BCAN's state-of-the-art neuroimaging facilities.

The Distributed Cognition and Memory group operates within Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging, leveraging 7T MRI capabilities and interdisciplinary clinical neuroscience partnerships at Charité.