Thomas J. O’Dell is a Professor of Physiology and Associate Director of the Brain Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His research focuses on synaptic plasticity mechanisms, particularly long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), in the hippocampus. He investigates β-adrenergic signaling, NMDA receptor dynamics, and astrocyte calcium signaling in learning and memory processes. O’Dell’s work bridges molecular neurobiology with behavioral neuroscience, emphasizing how synaptic changes underlie cognitive functions. Research Interests: Neuronal plasticity mechanisms in hippocampal circuits Role of NMDA receptors in synaptic function and disease β-Adrenergic modulation of LTP Calcium signaling in astrocytes and its impact on synaptic transmission Grants & Funding: NIH R21MH115404 (Mechanisms of homeostatic plasticity) NIH R01NS060677 (Astrocyte calcium signaling in striatum) NIH R01MH060919 (NMDA receptor signaling in LTP) Labs/Teams: O’Dell leads a lab at the UCLA Brain Research Institute, collaborating on projects involving synaptic physiology, proteomics, and behavioral neuroscience.
Gülçin Elboga is an Associate Professor at Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. She has been serving in this position since 2019, following her tenure as a Doctor Lecturer from 2017-2019 at the same institution. Her academic career is deeply rooted in the Department of Psychiatry within the Faculty of Medicine at Gaziantep University. Her educational background includes Medical Specialization (2010-2015) and a Medical License (2004-2009), both completed at Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine. This strong foundation in medical education has supported her specialized focus in psychiatry. Dr. Elboga's research interests span across multiple critical areas in mental health, with particular emphasis on bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. Her work frequently explores the biological underpinnings of psychiatric conditions, including neuroimaging studies, biomarker research, and neuroendocrine aspects of mental illnesses. She has made significant contributions to understanding the application of cognitive behavioral therapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and novel pharmacological approaches in psychiatric treatment. Her publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with a focus on clinically relevant research. Recent work shows increasing attention to pandemic-related mental health issues, neuroimaging correlates of psychiatric disorders, and the biological mechanisms underlying mood disorders. Her research often involves collaborations with colleagues across multiple institutions, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to psychiatric research. Dr. Elboga has authored numerous scientific publications including 90 articles and 7 book chapters, with a strong presence in both national and international psychiatric literature. Her work appears in reputable journals across various psychiatric subfields, demonstrating breadth and depth in her scholarly contributions. She has been actively involved in research related to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers, circadian rhythm disturbances in psychiatric disorders, and innovative treatment approaches for treatment-resistant depression. Her work bridges clinical practice with scientific investigation, contributing valuable insights to the field of psychiatry.
Pouya Bashivan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine. His research focuses on developing computational models to explain and regulate neural responses during visual tasks requiring memory, combining machine learning, neuroscience, and cognitive science. Education : Ph.D. in Computer Engineering (2016), Postdocs in Machine Learning (2020) and Computational Neuroscience (2016-2020) His lab investigates: Topographical neural networks for visual cortex simulation Massively-multitask models for prefrontal cortex Saccade-driven visual exploration models Predictive hippocampus models for episodic memory Recent publications explore adversarial robustness, memory-augmented networks, and brain-state decoding. Current projects emphasize causal models, brain-AI alignment, and translating computational neuroscience into therapeutic applications. The lab is located in the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, Room 1117, Montreal, Quebec.
Prof. Markus Axer is a Professor and Deputy Head of the Structural and Functional Organisation of the Brain (INM-1) at the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM) within Forschungszentrum Jülich. His research focuses on connectomics, neuroimaging technologies (e.g., 3D-Polarized Light Imaging), and high-performance computing applications in brain architecture analysis. He leads the 'Fiber Architecture' working group, advancing microscopy techniques like scattered light imaging and MRI-histology correlation for studying brain microstructure. His work bridges experimental neuroscience with computational methods, aiming to decode brain organization at meso- and macroscales. Key achievements include developing the HippoMaps atlas of the human hippocampus and improving fiber orientation mapping in brain tissue. Awards include Fellowship in the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (2024). Research emphasizes cross-modal data integration, with applications in Alzheimer’s disease biomarker validation and primate brain evolution studies. He collaborates with academic institutions like the University of Wuppertal and contributes to international initiatives like the BigBrain Analytics Learning Laboratory.
Naftali Raz is a Professor of Psychology at Stony Brook University, specializing in Integrative Neuroscience. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin (1985) and a B.A. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1979). His research focuses on understanding age-related changes in the brain and cognition, particularly exploring metabolic, vascular, and inflammatory risk factors influencing cognitive aging. He employs neuroimaging techniques such as MRI, MRS, and fMRI to study brain structure, function, and metabolism in healthy aging populations. Raz’s research emphasizes the 'FRIENDS' model (Free-Radical Induced Energetic and Neural Decline in Senescence), linking aging to energy production decline. His work includes longitudinal studies on brain atrophy, myelin content, and iron accumulation. He investigates how physiological risk factors like cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome impact neurocognitive trajectories. Current grants include NIA funding for neural correlates of cognitive aging and hippocampal glutamate modulation studies. Education: Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Texas at Austin (1985) B.A. in Psychology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel (1979) Labs/Facilities: Integrative Neuroscience Group, SCAN Center (Stony Brook Advanced Neuroimaging) His publications span over three decades, with recent works on recognition memory strategies, hippocampal subfield analysis, and cerebral blood flow dynamics. Collaborations include multi-institutional projects on neuroimaging protocols and aging mechanisms.
Dr. Arno Onken is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Data Science for Life Sciences at the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, where he is also affiliated with the Institute for Adaptive and Neural Computation. He leads a research group focused on developing machine learning and statistical methods for modeling neural activity and analyzing large-scale neuroscience data. His work bridges artificial intelligence and computational neuroscience. His research interests lie at the intersection of machine learning, statistics, and neuroscience. He develops flexible probabilistic models such as copulas and Gaussian processes, deep learning architectures like Vision Transformers for brain activity prediction, and matrix/tensor factorization techniques for dimensionality reduction in neural datasets. His group aims to uncover interpretable structure in complex neural recordings and understand how behavior and cognition are encoded in population activity. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in combining modern deep learning with classical statistical modeling to analyze large-scale neural recordings. His work spans from foundational methods in copula modeling and information theory to applications in predicting visual cortex responses and modeling brainstem-hippocampus interactions across sleep states. The research has been published in top venues including NeurIPS, CVPR, eLife, and PLoS Computational Biology. Dr. Onken actively supervises PhD students and has developed several open-source scientific software packages, including the Mixed Vine Toolbox and Population Spike Train Factorization Toolbox. He teaches core courses in Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition and Data Mining and Exploration at the University of Edinburgh.
Dr. Sheng-Jian Ji is a Tenured Associate Professor at the School of Life Sciences, Department of Neuroscience at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China. He also serves as the Academic Vice President of Shude Academy and was previously the first Deputy Director of Research and Graduate Affairs in the Department of Biology at SUSTech (2016-2018). As a leading neuroscientist specializing in RNA modification and neural development, Dr. Ji has established an internationally recognized research program. Dr. Ji's educational background includes: 2003-2007: Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Neurobiology 1998-2003: PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences 1994-1998: Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry, Yantai University Department of Biochemistry Dr. Ji's research primarily focuses on developmental neurobiology, with particular emphasis on post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms including RNA modification and local translation of mRNA in axons. His laboratory is recognized as one of the leading international groups studying how mRNA modification (particularly m6A and m5C) regulates neural development and function. Through innovative approaches combining molecular biology, cell biology, and microfluidic technologies, his team has revealed important insights into axon growth, dendrite maintenance, cortical neurogenesis, and retinal development. His publication record shows a clear trajectory from fundamental mechanisms of RNA modification to applications in understanding neurological disorders and aging. Recent work has expanded into aging-related neural decline, cognitive functions, and potential therapeutic targets for neurological conditions. Dr. Ji has received numerous prestigious awards: 2020, 2016: SUSTech Excellent College Mentor 2020: SUSTech Biology Department Outstanding Service Award 2019: Guangdong Province Talent Youyue Card A 2017: Guangdong Provincial Professor of Neurobiology 2013: Jiangsu Distinguished Professor (Nanjing University) 2011: National Natural Science Award Second Prize (third contributor) As an educator, Dr. Ji teaches undergraduate Neurobiology and graduate Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology courses. He actively mentors students, with recent master's graduates including Yuan Jiaxin and Zhang Pingrui. His laboratory recruits postdoctoral fellows (with salaries of 335,000+ RMB annually), research assistants, and graduate students, providing comprehensive training in molecular techniques, neuronal cell culture, microfluidics, and omics approaches. Dr. Ji leads a vibrant research team that collaborates both within SUSTech and internationally. His work continues to advance understanding of RNA modification in neural development, function, and aging, with recent progress highlighted in June 2025.
Hernan G. Rey, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Marquette-MCW Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering. He previously held an Assistant Professor position at Baylor College of Medicine until July 2022. His research focuses on understanding human episodic memory, improving epilepsy diagnosis and treatment, and developing tools for electrophysiological data analysis. Rey's lab records single-neuron activity and intracranial EEG from epilepsy patients to investigate brain mechanisms underlying memory and neurophysiological processes. Education: PhD in Engineering, University of Buenos Aires (2009) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Informatics, University of Leicester (2012–2015) Bachelor's in Electronics Engineering, University of Buenos Aires (2002) Research Interests: Dr. Rey explores anterior temporal lobectomy, drug-resistant epilepsy, electrophysiology, hippocampal function, machine learning applications in neuroscience, and signal processing. His work bridges clinical neurosurgery, biomedical engineering, and cognitive neuroscience to advance both fundamental understanding and clinical interventions. Publications: His recent work highlights studies on parietal cortex function in action monitoring, single-neuron responses in memory encoding, and neurophysiological correlates of depression. These reflect a focus on translational neuroscience and interdisciplinary collaboration. Awards: EPSRC Rising Star Award (2014) Labs/Teams: The ReyLab drives innovation in electrophysiological data acquisition and analysis, emphasizing clinical application for epilepsy and memory disorders.
Robert Vertes is a Professor at Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, based in Boca Raton (BS-12 521) with contact number 561-297-2362 and email rvertes@fau.edu. He holds a Ph.D. from The New School in New York, NY. Vertes's research centers on the midline thalamus (particularly nucleus reuniens and supramammillary nucleus) and its critical roles in learning, memory, affective behavior, and sleep-wake regulation . His work examines brainstem-diencephalic-septohippocampal systems controlling hippocampal EEG states (theta/non-theta), functional interactions between hippocampus-medial prefrontal cortex-ventral midline thalamus, and serotonergic systems of the brainstem. He actively challenges theories about sleep's role in memory consolidation. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on nucleus reuniens as a critical bridge between hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, with demonstrated roles in anxiety, spatial working memory, and attentional signaling during sleep. His methodology combines electrophysiology, anatomical tracing, and behavioral assays in rat models, increasingly incorporating Cre+ strains for serotonergic pathway studies. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. Vertes maintains active mentorship through co-authored publications with researchers including Linley, S.B. and Viena, T.D. His lab conducts NIH-relevant neuroscience using lesion studies, electrophysiological recordings, and behavioral paradigms to investigate thalamic contributions to cognition. Current work emphasizes serotonergic regulation of limbic thalamic nuclei in affective processing. The laboratory operates within FAU's College of Science, specializing in thalamic circuitry with particular expertise in nucleus reuniens physiology and its modulation of hippocampal-prefrontal networks during cognitive and emotional tasks.
Eilif B. MULLER is a Professor in the Department of Neurosciences at Université de Montréal, Principal Investigator of the Architectures of Biological Learning Lab (ABL-Lab) at CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, and Associate Faculty at Mila (Quebec AI Institute). His work bridges neuroscience and artificial intelligence, focusing on understanding how sensory perception is learned in the neocortex through biophysical simulations and deep learning models. He holds affiliations with IVADO (Institute for Data Valorization) and contributes to strategic initiatives like the UNIQUE Québec Center. His research integrates empirical neurophysiology with computational models, exploring dendritic processing and synaptic plasticity to inform both biological understanding and AI advancements. Teaches NSC-6044 and NSC-6045 (Neuroscience Colloquia) at Université de Montréal. Leads projects on neocortical learning mechanisms and their implications for neurodevelopmental disorders. Recipient of grants from CRSNG (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council), FRSQ (Health Research Fund), and institutional funding. Publications span topics in computational neuroscience, neural network modeling, and interdisciplinary AI-neuroscience research. Collaborates extensively across institutions to advance large-scale brain simulations and data-driven models.
Richard Kempter is a Full Professor at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, where he leads the Theoretical Neuroscience research group within the Institute for Theoretical Biology, Department of Biology. His research focuses on the neural basis of learning and memory through computational and mathematical modeling of synapses, neurons, and neural networks. He is affiliated with several major research centers including the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, the Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, and the CRC 1315 Memory Consolidation. Professor Kempter's research interests span theoretical and computational neuroscience with a particular focus on the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory. His work employs biophysical modeling and mathematical analysis to study synaptic short- and long-term plasticity, the dynamics of single neurons, and the interaction of neurons in recurrently coupled networks. A key aspect of his research investigates how neural systems maintain a balance between learning susceptibility and stability against pathological activity patterns, with model systems including the hippocampus and early auditory system. His research group has made significant contributions to understanding hippocampal sharp wave-ripple events, phase precession in spatial navigation, auditory processing in barn owls, and memory consolidation mechanisms. The group's work combines theoretical approaches with computer simulations to unravel the computational principles of neural circuits, showing particular interest in how neural tissue remains susceptible to learning while maintaining robust stability against pathological activity patterns. Scholarship of the State of Bavaria (03/1994-12/1995) Emmy Noether Fellowship Part I (09/1999-08/2001), funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Emmy Noether Fellowship Part II (01/2003-09/2008) Guest Professor , HU Berlin, Department of Biology (10/2008-03/2010) Professor Kempter has advised numerous PhD and Master's students throughout his career, with many continuing in neuroscience research. His group maintains strong connections with experimental laboratories to bridge computational models with empirical findings, particularly in hippocampal function and auditory processing. The Theoretical Neuroscience Lab participates in collaborative projects investigating memory consolidation and neural coding principles, contributing significantly to our understanding of how neural circuits implement computational principles underlying learning and memory.
Pabitra Sahoo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Rutgers University, leading a research group focused on axonal mRNA dynamics and stress granule biology. His work bridges molecular neuroscience and regenerative medicine with direct implications for neural repair mechanisms. His educational background includes: B.S. from Utkal University, India (2005) M.S. from University of Hyderabad, India (2007) Ph.D. from National Centre for Cell Science, University of Pune (2013) Postdoctoral fellowship at Twiss Lab, University of South Carolina (2023) Dr. Sahoo's research centers on stress granules in axons and their dual role in physiological mRNA storage and pathological inhibition of nerve regeneration. His lab investigates how localized protein synthesis mechanisms govern neural repair, neurodevelopment, and neurodegenerative processes through cutting-edge approaches in spatial transcriptomics and axonal biology. Key discoveries include the identification of G3BP1 as a critical regulator of axonal mRNA translation and the demonstration that stress granules exist under normal physiological conditions in neurons. Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications reveals a dominant focus on stress granule disassembly mechanisms (particularly involving G3BP1), RNA-binding protein functions in axonal mRNA stability, and therapeutic targeting of these pathways for nerve regeneration. His work consistently connects fundamental molecular mechanisms to applications in spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve repair, and neurodegenerative conditions like ALS. The Sahoo Lab operates as a collaborative team of "curiosity driven, fun, and coffee loving scientists" investigating how mRNA storage granules respond to neuronal signals. Current projects specifically examine stress granule dynamics in neuronal development models and their dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., Down syndrome) and neurodegenerative diseases, with therapeutic strategies emerging from multiple patent filings.
Dr. Mazen Kheirbek is a Professor in Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. He leads research at the Kheirbek Lab, focusing on hippocampal circuits in emotional behavior and psychiatric disorders. Education : BA (Washington University), PhD (University of Chicago), Postdoc (Columbia University) Research Interests center on: Neural circuits in anxiety and depression Hippocampal-prefrontal pathways Adult neurogenesis mechanisms Neuroplasticity in mood disorders Optogenetics and circuit mapping Translational psychiatry Publication Trends show consistent contributions to neuroscience journals, particularly in hippocampal function, neural circuits, and psychiatric disorders. His work often employs animal models and advanced imaging techniques. Scientific Awards : McKnight Foundation Memory & Cognitive Disorders Award (2020) Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences (2019) Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship (2019) Human Frontier Science Program Young Investigator (2019) NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2012) Grants include multiple NIH-funded projects: NIH/NIDA 1R01DA062018 (2025-2030): Dopaminergic circuits in insight learning NIH/NIMH 1R01MH136270 (2025-2030): Hippocampal stimulus processing NIH/NIDCD R01DC19813 (2021-2026): Dentate gyrus associative learning
Edward F. Chang, MD is a distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. He co-directs the Center for Neural Engineering and Prostheses, a collaborative enterprise between UCSF and UC Berkeley, and leads the Chang Lab focused on speech neuroscience and neural engineering. As a practicing neurosurgeon, he specializes in treating adults with difficult-to-control epilepsy, brain tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, and movement disorders. Dr. Chang's educational background includes a B.A. in Chemistry from Amherst College (1997), an M.D. from UCSF (2004), a Neurological Surgery residency at UCSF (2010), and a postdoctoral fellowship in Cognitive Neuroscience at UC Berkeley (2009). His research focuses on the brain mechanisms for speech, movement, and learning, with particular emphasis on advanced brain mapping methods to preserve crucial areas for speech and motor functions. He has pioneered work in speech neuroprostheses, developing technology that allows patients with paralysis to communicate through brain signals. His work integrates engineering, neurology, and neurosurgery to develop state-of-the-art biomedical technology to restore function for patients with neurological disabilities such as paralysis and speech disorders. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward developing advanced neuroprosthetic technologies, particularly speech decoding systems, and exploring the neural basis of speech production across multiple languages. His research also spans epilepsy surgery optimization, deep brain stimulation for psychiatric conditions, and molecular profiling of brain tumors. Blavatnik National Laureate for Life Sciences (2015) Elected to the National Academy of Medicine (2020) Inaugural Bowes Biomedical Investigator at UCSF HHMI Faculty Scholar Dr. Chang leads multiple NIH-funded research projects totaling millions of dollars, including a pilot clinical trial for speech neuroprosthesis and studies on the neural coding of speech across human languages. He has mentored numerous researchers in the field of neural engineering and speech neuroscience, though specific student names aren't listed in the provided materials. His work has resulted in groundbreaking technologies that have helped restore communication abilities to individuals with paralysis. As co-director of the Center for Neural Engineering and Prostheses, Dr. Chang leads a multidisciplinary team of engineers, neurologists, and neurosurgeons working at the intersection of neuroscience and technology. His lab has been instrumental in developing brain-computer interfaces that translate neural activity into speech, with recent publications demonstrating streaming brain-to-voice neuroprostheses that restore naturalistic communication.
Erie D. Boorman is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, and a core member of the Center for Mind and Brain. His research focuses on the computational and neural mechanisms of learning and decision-making, bridging psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and behavioral economics. He leads the Learning and Decision Making (LDM) Lab, investigating how the brain constructs predictive models of the environment and uses them for decisions involving rewards, social contexts, and latent states. Education: Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford (2010) MSc (Distinction) in Neurosciences, University of Oxford (2006) B.A. (Honors) in Psychology, Stanford University (2004) Research Interests: Computational models of learning and decision-making Neural basis of prediction systems (reward, social, and state prediction) Cognitive flexibility and structure learning Role of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in decision processes Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2019–present) Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship (2010–2014) Wellcome Trust Prize Studentship (2005–2010) His work has been supported by grants such as the NSF CAREER and Wellcome Trust Fellowships. Laboratory: The LDM Lab explores how humans form and adapt cognitive maps, leveraging multi-disciplinary approaches to understand neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying decision strategies.
