Dr. Terrence Sejnowski

Biography

Terrence Sejnowski is a distinguished professor whose laboratory focuses on discovering the principles linking brain mechanisms and behavior. The lab employs experimental modeling techniques to study the biophysical properties of synapses, neurons, population dynamics, and large networks of neurons. It develops new computational models and analytical tools to understand how the brain represents the world and how new representations are formed through learning algorithms that change synaptic strengths and connections between neurons. The research explores questions such as how neurons communicate through synapses, and utilizes Monte Carlo models and 2-photon microscopy to probe the mechanisms underlying neurotransmitter release and the activation of receptors on postsynaptic neurons. Additionally, the lab examines the capability of cortical neurons to initiate spikes reliably and the role of fast-spiking inhibitory neurons in synchronizing neuron activity. EEG and fMRI recordings are analyzed using Independent Component Analysis to understand the global flow of information in the cortex, particularly during sleep cycles like REM and slow-wave sleep. The lab aims to decipher the mechanisms underlying sleep rhythms through large-scale network models.

Research Interests

Experience