Our research focuses on the cortical basis of motor control and learning. We are investigating what features of motor behavior are encoded and how this information is represented in the collective activity of large neuronal ensembles in the motor, premotor, and somatosensory cortices. We are also interested in what way these representations change as motor learning occurs. Our approach has been to simultaneously record neural activity from large groups of neurons using multi-electrode arrays while performing detailed kinematic, kinetic, and muscle measurements of goal-directed, motor behaviors, and to develop mathematical models that relate neural activity with behavior. These mathematical models provide insights as to what aspects of motor behavior are being encoded in cortical neurons, but also can be used to decipher or “decode” neural activity in order to predict movement which has practical implications for brain-machine interface development. Ultimately, this research may lead to neural prosthetic technologies that will allow people with spinal cord injury, ALS, or amputation to use brain signals to voluntarily control a device so as to interact with the world.
Brown University
Providence, RI
- Neuroscience
1998
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
- Neuroscience
1995
Brown University
Providence, RI
Ph.D. - Cognitive Science
1992
Brown University
Providence, RI
Sc.M. - Psychology
1991
Williams College
Williamstown, MA
B.A. - Physics
1984
A dynamic subset of network interactions underlies tuning to natural movements in marmoset sensorimotor cortex.
A dynamic subset of network interactions underlies tuning to natural movements in marmoset sensorimotor cortex. Res Sq. 2023 Dec 27.
PMID: 38234779
Microstimulation of human somatosensory cortex evokes task-dependent, spatially patterned responses in motor cortex.
Microstimulation of human somatosensory cortex evokes task-dependent, spatially patterned responses in motor cortex. Nat Commun. 2023 11 10; 14(1):7270.
PMID: 37949923
Multiple regions of sensorimotor cortex encode bite force and gape.
Multiple regions of sensorimotor cortex encode bite force and gape. Front Syst Neurosci. 2023; 17:1213279.
PMID: 37808467
Tessellation of artificial touch via microstimulation of human somatosensory cortex.
Tessellation of artificial touch via microstimulation of human somatosensory cortex. bioRxiv. 2023 Jul 15.
PMID: 37425877
Biomimetic multi-channel microstimulation of somatosensory cortex conveys high resolution force feedback for bionic hands.
Biomimetic multi-channel microstimulation of somatosensory cortex conveys high resolution force feedback for bionic hands. bioRxiv. 2023 Jul 12.
PMID: 36824713
Dynamic structure of motor cortical neuron coactivity carries behaviorally relevant information.
Dynamic structure of motor cortical neuron coactivity carries behaviorally relevant information. Netw Neurosci. 2023; 7(2):661-678.
PMID: 37397877
Biomechanical and Cortical Control of Tongue Movements During Chewing and Swallowing.
Biomechanical and Cortical Control of Tongue Movements During Chewing and Swallowing. Dysphagia. 2024 Feb; 39(1):1-32.
PMID: 37326668
Robust cortical encoding of 3D tongue shape during feeding in macaques.
Robust cortical encoding of 3D tongue shape during feeding in macaques. Nat Commun. 2023 05 24; 14(1):2991.
PMID: 37225708
Interplay between external inputs and recurrent dynamics during movement preparation and execution in a network model of motor cortex.
Interplay between external inputs and recurrent dynamics during movement preparation and execution in a network model of motor cortex. Elife. 2023 05 11; 12.
PMID: 37166452
Propagating motor cortical patterns of excitability are ubiquitous across human and non-human primate movement initiation.
Propagating motor cortical patterns of excitability are ubiquitous across human and non-human primate movement initiation. iScience. 2023 Apr 21; 26(4):106518.
PMID: 37070071
Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentoring
University of Chicago
2016