Timothy Behrens

Professor Timothy Behrens of the University of Oxford is a leading computational neuroscientist specializing in diffusion MRI and brain connectivity mapping. He was awarded the 2014 Lennart Nilsson Prize for developing probabilistic tractography methods that enable non-invasive, high-resolution imaging of human brain architecture. His research bridges computational modeling with neuroimaging to understand neural computations underlying behavior.

• Education: Information Engineering (undergraduate), DPhil in diffusion imaging methods
• Research Focus: Brain connection organization, frontal cortical mechanisms, computational descriptions of behavior
• Key Grants: NIH Human Connectome Project (anatomical connectivity section leader), Wellcome Trust, MRC UK, James S McDonnell Foundation

Scientific Contributions: His work combines diffusion MRI with functional and neurochemical data to reveal how brain regions communicate. The probabilistic tractography methods he pioneered allow precise quantification of connectivity patterns in vivo.

• Awards:
  • Lennart Nilsson Award (2014) - Recognizing innovative diffusion MRI techniques