Research

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Our multidisciplinary research team integrates a variety of approaches

Our multidisciplinary research team integrates a variety of approaches (i.e., neurophysiological, behavioral, biochemical, engineering, computational) to analyze and identify patterns of electrical activity in brain networks in awake, freely behaving mouse models under normal and disease conditions.

Neurophysiology/electrophysiology describes the electrical recording of neural activity. We aim to develop circuit interventions that may be translated for novel treatment of psychiatric disorders in humans.

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Data Science & Bioinformatics

In collaboration with the Carlson Lab, we have an ongoing effort to advance machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) methods to analyze the brain. Specifically, we use complex computational algorithms to identify relevant network models of the brain from our data, and we use these learned models to help us answer scientific questions, and help us design future experiments. Achieving this goal requires the development of novel algorithms and mathematical approaches in addition to close collaboration with neuroscience experts.  These techniques push the state-of-the-art in the fields of machine learning and network neuroscience.

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Neuroscience & Neuroengineering

Utilizing in vivo multi-site electrophysiology and other tools to monitor and modulate brain function. In conjunction with machine learning, we record neural activity in behaving mice and study how brain regions interact with each other across space and time within brain circuits that we believe underlie various emotional and cognitive states.

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Biochemistry & Protein Engineering 

We endeavor to generate, characterize, and optimize engineered gap junctions for use as novel neuromodulatory tools for mammalian circuit manipulation – both as standalone devices and as integral parts of multi-component systems. We employ numerous techniques pertinent to molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and computational biology to achieve these goals. Ultimately, our work aims to contribute novel and transformative tools to advance the study and treatment of psychiatric illnesses. 

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Check out recent publications to learn more about our work.