We are deeply curious about how complex patterns of brain activity emerge from the structure of brain circuits, and how these patterns of activity enable the brain to process and transmit information in order to make decisions and guide behavior. We are particularly interested in subjects like brain oscillations, inhibitory circuits (including the role of long-range GABAergic projections), neuromodulators (especially dopamine and serotonin), and psychedelic drugs (which can lead to long-lasting changes in brain function). We study how all of these factors interact when the brain performs complex cognitive tasks (such as learning new rules) and represents emotional states (such as anxiety). We explore how these factors can contribute to conditions such as schizophrenia, autism, depression, and anxiety.
By putting all of this information together, we will disover new ways to treat psychiatric conditions by restoring normal brain function.
We carry out these studies using diverse approaches including: optogenetics, calcium imaging, optical measurements of voltage signals, electrophysiology and computational modeling.
