Dr. Colin Akerman

Biography

Colin J Akerman is a Professor and Group Leader in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Oxford. He leads the Akerman Group focused on understanding the general principles of synaptic connections formed in the brain that are altered by activity-dependent processes. His fundamental research challenge is to understand how the brain is organized to change in response to information received from the environment. His work probes the basic mechanisms underlying synaptic circuits, particularly how they become altered in conditions such as epilepsy and dementia. Akerman's research encompasses synapse formation and synaptic plasticity, utilizing advanced optical methods, electrophysiological recordings, molecular-genetic techniques, and computational approaches. This integrative research approach allows him to address novel biological questions and make significant contributions to the field while offering a rich training environment for young scientists. Since 2008, he has worked with a diverse team of about 10 scientists, including postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, who have moved on to establish their own research groups in places like Toronto, Edinburgh, Cape Town, and London.

Research Interests