Faculty
are listed by Department within their Research Areas,
with descriptions of their active projects.
ANATOMY AND NEUROBIOLOGY
BERTRAM PAYNE
Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology; PhD, University of Durham,
U.K.
Research Interests:My research concentrates on: 1) perceptual and cognitive processes
of parietal and temporal visual cortices; 2) neural processing in
visual cortical and subcortical networks; 3) system-wide repercussions
and sparing of cognitive processes following early damage of primary
visual cortex; 4) network plasticity in the mature brain, and 5)
functional interactions between the cerebral hemispheres and other
cerebral network components. Techniques used include electrophysiology,
quantitative anatomy of brain pathways, reversible cooling deactivation,
permanent lesion deactivations, and behavioral testing methods.
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DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
JELLE ATEMA
Professor of Biology; PhD, University of Michigan
Research Interests:Sensory Neurobiology and Behavioral Ecology: Spectral and temporal
filter properties of chemoreceptor cells in different receptor organs
of the lobster. High resolution measurement and models of turbulent
submarine odor plumes. Chemosensory orientation behavior: "Eddy-scale
chemotaxis". "Robo-lobster", autonomous underwater
vehicle designed to explore neural models of chemotaxis and to locate
odor and pollution sources. Chemical signals in lobster courtship
behavior. Laboratory and field studies. Evolution of brains and
complex behavior of invertebrates. Funded by grants from NSF, NIH.
Research facilities at the Boston University Marine Program, Marine
Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
VINCENT E. DIONNE
Professor of Biology; PhD, University of Arizona
Research Interests: Chemosensory physiology: research on the cellular mechanisms underlying
the detection and discrimination of odors by olfactory receptor
neurons in vertebrates. Electrophysiological, anatomical, histochemical,
and molecular biological techniques are used in the laboratory.
TIM GARDNER,Assistant Professor of Biology; Ph.D.- Rockefeller University, NY.
Research Interests: The Gardner lab studies the assembly and function of neural circuits, focusing on the well-defined pathways for vocal learning in songbirds. A first priority is the quantitative description of vocal behavior. The lab also explores physiological recordings and circuit perturbations in singing birds, in-vivo imaging, and theoretical models for self-assembly of neural systems.
WILLIAM D. ELDRED
Professor of Biology; Director of the Program in Neuroscience;
Professor in the Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and
Biochemistry Program; Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems
Research Fellow; PhD, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Research Interests: We are doing multidisciplinary studies of the role of cGMP in synaptic
mechanisms in retinal neurons. These studies employ immunocytochemistry,
retrograde tracers, intracellular injections, pharmacology, electrophysiology,
biochemistry and image analysis at the light and electron microscopic
levels. Particular emphasis is placed on regional differences in
the retina and the biochemical and pharmacological mechanisms for
modulating cGMP in identified neurons.
MATT WACHOWIAK
Assistant Professor of Biology; PhD, University of Florida
Research Interests: My research focuses on how the nervous system encodes and processes
information about odors. Odor coding starts with olfactory receptor
neurons in the nose, where odor molecules activate specific combinations
of receptor neurons. Which receptor neurons are activated depends
on the chemical structure and concentration of the odor. We are
interested in understanding how the pattern of receptor neuron activity
encodes information about an odor as this information is transmitted
to the brain, and also how this code is transformed as the information
passes through different stages of processing in the brain.
JEN-WEI LIN
Professor of Biology; PhD, SUNY-Buffalo
Research Interests: Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter secretion. Neurotransmitter secretion is a complicated process that involves
ion channel gating and secretion steps. In addition, the mobilization
and recycling of synaptic vesicles are needed to maintain the function
of a synapse and to contribute to synaptic plasticity. Ultimately,
an understanding of the secretory events means that one can establish
a kinetic scheme for this multi-step process and identify molecules
responsible for each step. Therefore, a combined electrophysiological
and molecular approach is used in my laboratory to investigate these
questions.
AYAKO YAMAGUCHI
Assistant Professor of Biology; PhD, University of California at
Davis
Research Interests: We study how the CNS generate sexually differentiated behavior using
vocalization of African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) as a model.
We use behavioral, electrophysiological, anatomical, histochemical,
and molecular biological techniques to understand how the central
vocal pathways differ between males and females, and how these differences
arise in response to steroid hormones.
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DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL
ENGINEERING
H. STEVEN COLBURN
Professor, Biomedical Engineering;
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research Interests:Dr. Colburn's research involves the application of signal processing,
statistical communication theory, and computational modeling to
the study of hearing and hearing impairments. He is particularly
interested in the measurement and modeling of binaural hearing performance.
He is also interested in human-machine interfaces for virtual environments
and teleoperators.
JAMES J. COLLINS
Professor/Supervisor, Motion Analysis Laboratory;
PhD, University of Oxford (England)
Research Interests: Dr. Collins' research interests include developing and implementing
techniques and concepts from nonlinear dynamics and statistical
physics to study the neural control and biomechanics of posture
and locomotion.
CARLO J. DE LUCA
Director/Founder, Neuromuscular Research Center;
Professor, Biomedical Engineering; Research Professor, Neurology;
PhD, Queen's University (Canada)
Research Interests: Professor De Luca's research centers on issues dealing with rehabilitation
of the physically disabled; understanding how the brain and spinal
cord control the individual fibers in a muscle, and groups of muscles,
in healthy as well as dysfunctioned individuals; methodologies for
objectively measuring muscle fatigue during voluntary efforts; methodologies
for objectively evaluating the performance of low-back muscles.
ALLYN E. HUBBARD
Professor, Biomedical Engineering; PhD, University of Wisconsin
Research Interests: Professor Hubbard carries on research in the study of the electromechanical
properties of the cochlea and the modeling of auditory function.
His interests also include the application of microcircuit technology
in areas such as brain probes, neuromorphic computer architectures,
and networks with brain-like structure.
DAVID C. MOUNTAIN, Jr.
Professor, Biomedical Engineering; Associate Research Professor,
Otolaryngology, School of Medicine; PhD, University of Wisconsin
Auditory information processing, sensory biophysics, computer simulation,
biomedical electronics, biomedical signal and image processing.
Research Interests: Dr. Mountain's research centers around experimental
and theoretical studies of hearing function including: cochlear
biomechanics, otacoustic emissions, auditory processing of complex
sounds, and auditory evoked potentials. Professor Mountain also
collaborates with researchers from the Boston University Marine
Program who are studying olfactory physiology and behavior.
KAMAL SEN
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering; PhD, Brandeis University
Research Interests: Our laboratory studies the neural coding of complex vocal communication
sounds in songbirds, a model system that shows striking parallels
to humans. We use electrophysiological techniques to record neural
responses. Theoretical methods from areas such as statistical signal
processing, systems theory, probability theory and pattern recognition
are applied to characterize how neurons in the brain encode natural
sounds. We also use computational modeling to understand the processing
of natural sounds, both at the single neuron and the network level.
HERBERT F. VOIGT
Professor, Biomedical Engineering; Associate Research Professor,
Otolaryngology, School of Medicine; PhD, Johns Hopkins University
Research Interests: Dr. Voigt is currently engaged in experimental and theoretical studies
of the neuronal circuitry in the cochlear nucleus. He uses single-
and multi-unit recording and analysis techniques to study the responses
of neurons and neural nets to acoustic stimulation. Other interests
include brainstem auditory evoked responses and neural modeling
of the cochlear nucleus.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES
HELEN BARBAS
Professor; PhD, McGill University
Research Interests: Organization of the prefrontal cortex in primates.
Research involves the use of tracers to map neural circuits associated
with cognitive, mnemonic and emotional processes. Combined histochemical,
immunocytochemical and molecular approaches are used to characterize
specific receptors and intracellular markers in neurons involved
in these circuits.
JUDITH SCHOTLAND
Assistant Professor; PhD, Northwestern University
Research Interests: The role of spinal neural networks in the organization
of movements. Research uses complementary in vitro and in vivo neurophysiological,
pharmacological, and anatomical techniques in simple vertebrate
model systems to elucidate the neuronal mechanisms and networks
responsible for the control of coordinated movements.
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PHYSICS: MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS
KENNETH J. ROTHSCHILD
Professor of Physics; Associate Professor of Physiology;
Director, Molecular Biophysics Laboratory and
Molecular Biophysics Training Program; PhD,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research Interests:Research in the Molecular Biophysics Laboratory is focused on understanding
the molecular mechanism of membrane protein based receptors and
ion transport pumps. For this purpose, we are developing advanced
spectroscopic methods based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR), resonance Raman spectroscopy and laser flash spectroscopy.
Systems under investigation in our laboratory include the nicotinic
acetylcholine receptor, a key component in neurotransmission; rhodopsin,
the receptor in vision and bacteriorhodopsin, a light driven proton
pump. Our research also involves the development of new in vitro
and recombinant DNA methods for the site-directed incorporation
of isotope labeled and non-native amino acids in proteins.
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DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY
AND BIOPHYSICS
M. CARTER CORNWALL
Professor; PhD, University of Utah
Research Interests:The Cornwall laboratory studies the mechanisms of visual transduction
that relate to light- and dark-adaptation in the vertebrate retina.
Specific areas of study are: mechanisms of visual pigment regeneration
and dark adaptation of rods and cones; retinoid transport during
light and dark adaptation; role of interphotoreceptor matrix retinoid
binding protein (IRBP); calcium homeostasis during light- and dark-adaptation.
Techniques used routinely in the lab are: extracellular single cell
electrical recordings of rods and cones, microspectrophotometry
of visual pigments, whole-cell voltage clamp recording (in collaboration
with Dr. Hugh Matthews, University of Cambridge, England), and single
cell confocal calcium imaging (in collaboration with Dr. Gordon
Fain, UCLA).
J. FERNANDO GARCIA-DIAZ
Associate Professor; PhD, Universidad de Malaga, Spain
Research Interests:Electrophysiology of membrane transport; expression and regulation
of ion channels; development of cochlear ganglion neurons.
GREGOR J. JONES
Assistant Professor; PhD
Research Interests:Photoreceptor mechanisms, especially the mechanisms of light and
dark adaptation as measured electrically in isolated single photoreceptors.
SIMON LEVY
Associate Professor; PhD, Boston University
Research Interests:In many nerve cells, transient increases in intracellular free calcium
concentrations (Cai) are caused primarily by influx through voltage-dependent
calcium channels. Second messengers like inositol trisphosphate
(InsP3) also have the ability to increase Cai through release from
intracellular stores, or gating of calcium channels. The long-term
goal of the Levy laboratory is to investigate mechanisms by which
second messengers modulate the excitability of nerve cells by controlling
their membrane permeability. The lab has developed suitable technologies
to: i) measure single-channel activities; ii) simultaneously measure
changes in intracellular calcium and membrane currents; iii) pressure-inject
pharmacological agents to investigate putative pathways involved
in neuronal excitability. The combination of these electrophysiological
and pharmacological techniques has proven useful in gathering new
and important information about nerve cell function.
There are four main projects: 1. Intracellular calcium
regulation and detection in nerve cells. Effects of second messengers
on internal calcium and membrane currents in nerve cells. 2. Role
of calcium-induced calcium release in the excitability of the peptidergic
neurons of Aplysia californica. 3. Role
of calcium and inositol trisphosphate in phototransduction in Limulus
photoreceptors. 4. Genetic Dissociation of phototransduction in
Drosophila photoreceptors.
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PHARMACOLOGY
DAVID H. FARB
Professor and Chairman of Pharmacology; PhD, Brandeis University
Research Interests:Abnormal activation of amino acid receptors has been implicated
in the etiology of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression
and schizophrenia as well as of seizure disorders. Ongoing studies
in the Farb lab provide a strong foundation for constructing models
of steroid hormone interactions with excitatory and inhibitory amino
acid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This knowledge may
lead to new strategies for the treatment of psychiatric and cognitive
disorders. Although there is widespread medical and nonmedical use
(and abuse) of steroids, there is very little information concerning
the long-term effects of steroid exposure on the central nervous
system. Rational drug design in conjunction with structural computational
chemistry will be used to understand ligand receptor and DNA transcription
factor recognition.
Dr. Farb's lab studies focuses on the mechanism of
action of neuromodulators and on the structure, function, and cellular
dynamics of amino acid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Amino
acid receptor function can be controlled by direct modulation of
receptor function on the time scale of milliseconds to seconds and
by regulation of receptor expression by genomic mechanisms. The
role of neuroactive steroids in the control of GABA, glycine, and
glutamate (NMDA and non-NMDA) receptors is being investigated using
a multidisciplinary approach that includes the techniques of molecular
biology, patch-clamp neurophysiology, cell biology, and molecular
neuroanatomy. We have isolated segments of DNA from the human genome
that contain the genetic blueprint for the production of GABA receptors.
By determining the sequences for the regions of the gene that control
its expression, we hope to be able to identify receptor-specific
transcription factors and to design new classes of therapeutic agents
that may act by regulating the expression of neurotransmitter receptors
in the brain.
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DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
HOWARD EICHENBAUM
University Professor and Director of Center for Neuroscience and the Center for Memory and Brain; PhD, University of Michigan.
Research Interests: My research involves explorations of the neural circuitry that mediates
our capacities for cognition and memory. In particular, work in
my lab focuses on the contributions of a system of brain structures
including the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Our approach to understanding
this system entails a combination of neuropsychological testing
to analyze how memory breaks down after selective damage to components
of this system and electrophysiological recording to characterize
how experiences are encoded by the activity patterns of neurons
in these brain structures.
MICHAEL HASSELMO
Professor of Psychology; DPhil, Oxford University
Research Interests: Research in the Hasselmo laboratory focuses on physiological and
computational analysis of the mechanisms of memory function in mammalian
cortical circuits, including the role of activation in muscarinic
acetylcholine receptors and GABAB receptors, and the role of oscillatory
dynamics in the olfactory cortex and hippocampus. Students in the
laboratory have the opportunity to learn a wide range of neuroscience
research techniques, including electrophysiological recording from
brain slice preparations of the hippocampus and piriform cortex,
recordings of evoked potentials and unit activity in anesthetized
and chronic preparations, detailed compartmental biophysical simulations
of cortical circuits, and behavioral studies of cholinergic modulation
in olfactory behavior. Articles from this laboratory have been co-authored
by numerous trainees, many of whom have performed both computational
modeling work and physiological research while working in the laboratory.
KATHLEEN M. KANTAK
Professor; PhD, Syracuse University
Research Interests: My research uses animal models to conduct translational research related to drug addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and their co-morbidity. Using intravenous drug self-administration procedures in rats, my lab investigates how multiple memory systems regulate drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior as well as how drug exposure influences the neurocognitive functioning of multiple memory systems. In addition, we investigate how cognitive-enhancing therapeutics may be useful to facilitate extinction learning for cues predictive of drug availability and if such treatment can attenuate drug relapse. Other studies focus on evaluating neurocognitive deficits of the frontal and medial temporal lobes as well as the striatum in rats with an ADHD phenotype and their response to medications. We have begun investigating comorbidity between ADHD and vulnerability to drug addiction and to determine if medications (stimulant and non-stimulant) increase or decrease this vulnerability. In the context of all this research, I collaborate with other investigators to conduct parallel studies in non-human primates, to perform image analysis or to understand the neurochemical and molecular correlates of these disorders and their treatment.
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