Dr. Mark D Esposito

Biography

Mark D'Esposito is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also directs the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute. His research specializes in understanding the neural bases of high-level cognitive processes, particularly focusing on working memory and cognitive control. He employs various experimental methodologies including functional MRI (fMRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and electrocorticography (ECoG) to investigate the neural substrates and temporal dynamics of these cognitive processes, emphasizing the role of the prefrontal cortex. D'Esposito's work has explored the effects of the dopaminergic system on working memory and cognitive control through pharmacological studies with normal human subjects and patients with Parkinson's disease. He has also conducted behavioral studies on patient populations experiencing frontal lobe dysfunction, aiming to enhance understanding of mechanisms underlying these cognitive functions. Moreover, he is involved in developing cognitive therapeutic approaches for patients with traumatic brain injuries and those suffering from executive function deficits. His methodological research focuses on advancing techniques for acquiring and analyzing fMRI and TMS data.

Research Interests

Courses