Dr. Ernst Niebur

Biography

Ernst Niebur is a Professor in the Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on computational neuroscience, where he constructs quantitative models of biological nervous systems grounded in neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and behavior. Niebur's main interest lies in understanding neuronal function at the system level, particularly how interactions among subsystems generate behaviors that are adaptive and useful. He emphasizes the importance of modeling to comprehend the functions required for different neural pathways, studying areas such as selective attention in visual perception. His work involves simulating neural mechanisms with digital computers, allowing for comparisons between results obtained from both visual and somatosensory systems in primates. Niebur has developed models that explore how neuronal firing patterns implement sensory processing, focusing on the temporal structure of neuronal activity rather than just average firing rates. He has built a strong collaboration with experimentalists to refine his theoretical frameworks and enhance understanding of neural functions.

Research Interests