Neuro-engineering, Optical Imaging of Intrinsic Signals, Neuro-biology, Neuroimaging, Brain Mapping, Representation of Sensory Modalities (Vision, Hearing, Somatosensation) in Mammalian Neocortex

My primary research goals are to develop new and improve existing techniques that allow rapid imaging of the brain structures with high resolution and with minimal invasiveness and to employ these techniques to further our understanding of the representation of the sensory world in the mammalian brain. The brain structure that is of a particular interest to me is cerebral cortex.

We use functional techniques, optical imaging of intrinsic signals and electrophysiology, to understand how the sensory world is mapped onto the quasi two-dimensional surface of the cerebral cortex, brain's most complex area with billions of neurons and trillions of synapses, the tissue responsible for mental activities such as consciousness, perceived sensations, skilled movements, memory, and language ability. Optical imaging of intrinsic signals allows us to monitor neuronal activity over large areas of cortical surface non-invasively. The imaging can be followed by targeted electrophysiology, to measure neuronal responses with high temporal resolution, or neuroanatomy, to establish patterns of axonal connections within and beyond the cortex.