Overview
My lab seeks to understand the neural basis of decision-making and working memory in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and how these abilities are regulated by neuromodulators. In particular, we hope to understand how the activity of neurons in the PFC is linked with an animal’s ability to switch between different strategies and how the dopamine system shapes this activity in a manner that is adaptive. My lab uses various optical imaging and stimulation techniques, including fluorescent microendoscopy, fiber photometry, 2P imaging and optogenetics to record and stimulate from neural populations. We also use microdialysis and voltammetry to record dopamine levels, and patch electrophysiology to study the effects of our manipulations on single neurons. Lastly, we build computational models and use machine learning techniques to analyze and interpret the activity recorded in networks of PFC neurons.
