Research
Our mission is to identify the mechanisms of cognition by developing and applying new neural technologies.
Flexible decision-making
Animals must continuously adapt their behavior to uncertain and changing environments. This process involves evidence accumulation — the integration of information over time to guide plans and update beliefs. We aim to identify the neural circuits that govern these computations and to understand how they are altered in neuropsychiatric conditions, such as autism.
Recent work: Regulation of decision threshold by the locus coeruleus. Xia et al. bioRxiv.
Neural dynamics & internal models
The brain generates rich internal dynamics that shape what we perceive, remember, and decide. We investigate how learning sculpts these population-level activity patterns and how they enable animals to predict and plan. Using advanced optical recordings and computational modeling, we uncover the circuit mechanisms that allow neural dynamics to support flexible cognition.
Recent work: Three-photon population imaging of subcortical brain regions. Frostig et al. bioRxiv.
Development & circuit function
We study how developmental mechanisms shape circuit structure and computation in the brain, with a particular focus on adult neurogenesis. We investigate how new neurons integrate into established circuits and contribute to learning and communication. This work aims to reveal fundamental principles linking development, evolution, and cognition — and to uncover how disruptions in these processes contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Recent work: Songbird connectome reveals tunneling of migratory neurons in the adult striatum. Shvedov et al. bioRxiv
Research Videos
Learn more about our work through these videos, which are designed for a general audience.
Ben gives a lecture on his research at the 2016 Allen Institute Showcase Symposium. 35 minutes
Ben and Stephan present our latest imaging technology: cScope. 3 minutes