The goal of Anthony Zador's laboratory is to elucidate the cortical mechanisms underlying auditory processing and attention, and how they are disrupted in pathological conditions such as autism. To this end, his group uses a variety of behavioral, physiological, molecular and computational approaches.

For more information on Dr. Zador’s projects, click here.

The lab of Adam Kepecs is studying the neural mechanisms and computational principles of decision making in rodents. Work in the lab combines behavioral, physiological and molecular approaches with quantitative analysis and computational modeling. Currently the lab is exploring the neural circuits underlying the computation of confidence in a choice, in addition to the choice itself, as well as the dynamic coordination of neural activity across brain regions.

For more information on Dr. Kepecs' projects, click here.

Alexei Koulakov uses mathematical methods to explore how real-world neurons form functional networks in the brain. Some of his work has generated robust theoretical models of visual and olfactory neural circuits—models that match experimental observations and, importantly, make testable predictions that are likely to reveal new clues to brain structure and function.

For more information on Dr. Koulakov’s projects, click here.

The lab of Zach Mainen is studying the neural mechanisms of goal-directed behavior. The laboratory works with a simple but flexible psychophysical paradigm in which rats use odors to guide spatial choices to obtain reward. The laboratory is particularly interested in the how olfactory information is encoded and transformed into adaptive decisions.

For more information on Dr. Mainen’s projects, click here.

Partha Mitra

Partha Mitra is one of a number of CSHL neuroscientists that combine theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches to exploring brain function. His group is continuing to develop mathematical algorithms and powerful software necessary for making sense of large volumes of neurological data. In the experimental realm, Mitra is collaborating with researchers at City College New York to uncover new information about song learning in zebra finches, which is similar to speech acquisition in humans.

For more information on Dr. Mitra’s projects, click here.

Glenn Turner's laboratory uses the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to understand how smell and taste are encoded in the brain, and how those representations are modified by learning. This is accomplished using a combination of electrophysiological, genetic, and computational approaches. The long-term goal of this research is to understand how neuronal plasticity alters cellular and population level stimulus representations to link together information from different sensory modalities.

For more information on Dr. Turner’s projects, click here.

Carlos Brody is interested in how neurons interact with one another to form the neural networks that underlie rapid decision-making and short-term or “working” memory. His group is also exploring how time and temporal patterns are sensed and represented in the brain.

A complete picture of brain function must include an understanding of how the shape of individual neurons and their patterns of connections contribute to brain structure. Dmitri Chklovskii pursues this goal by building theoretical models based on engineering principles that include physical, electrochemical, and other "design constraints."