Dr. Marc Sommer

Professor

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Biography

Marc Sommer is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University. His research focuses on the interaction between neuronal circuits and cognitive processes, emphasizing the role of specific brain areas in visual perception, decision-making, and motor planning. He combines neurophysiology with biomedical engineering to explore how the frontal cortex contributes to metacognition, how cerebellar-frontal circuits influence action timing, and the neural mechanisms involved in 'good enough' decision-making. His work also investigates the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive functions. Sommer has received several prestigious awards, including the Capers Marion McDonald Award for Excellence in Teaching and Research in 2021 and the Bass Fellowship from Duke University in 2017. He leads courses on cognitive neuroscience and has directed numerous independent research rotations focusing on neuronal control and bioelectricity.

Research Interests

Neuronal Circuits Cognition Visual Perception Decision-Making Motor Planning

Awards

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Capers Marion McDonald Award Excellence Teaching and Research

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Bass Fellow

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Capers Marion McDonald Award Excellence Mentoring Advising

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Research Fellowship-Neuroscience

Courses

Interdisciplinary Program Cognitive Neuroscience (IPCN) Independent Research Rotation Neuronal Control Movement Research Independent Study 4 Research Independent Study 3 Research Independent Study 2 Research Independent Study 1 Bioelectricity Concepts Neuroscience II: Principles Organization Neuronal Systems Research Projects Engineering Continuation Graduate Independent Study Graduate Independent Study Introduction Neural Engineering Projects Biomedical Engineering

Requirements for Duke University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.2
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Multivariable Calculus Introduction to Physics (mechanics) Introduction to Chemistry
Application Checklist
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Specialization Notes

Department of Biomedical Engineering (MS program)