Dr. Martin Usrey

Degrees

1994    PhD    Neurobiology    Duke University
1989    MS    Physiology    San Diego State University
1987    BA    Animal Physiology; Anthropology    University of California, San Diego
 

Research Interests

 

The long-term goal of the Usrey laboratory is to understand the functional properties of neural circuits that serve vision and the relationship between circuit activity, behavior and perception. Current research projects are focused on determining (1) how sensory information is processed and transmitted within and between brain areas, (2) feedforward and feedback interactions for vision, (3) the cellular and circuit mechanisms that mediate the effects of spatial attention on visual processing, and (4) the relationship between neural activity and visual perception.  Using an arsenal of techniques that includes single and multielectrode in vivo recordings, optogenetic manipulation of neuronal activity, and fMRI, we are discovering how sensory information is established and encoded in brain activity, as well as the mechanisms employed by the brain for communicating information dynamically from one level to the next.

 

The Usrey laboratory is also home to Brainmaps.org, an interactive, high-resolution digital brain atlas and virtual microscope for students, educators, and researchers.

 

Our research is funded by the N.I.H and the NSF.

Awards

Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Klingenstein Fellowship Award in the Neurosciences

Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship Award

Charles Judson Herrick Award, American Association of Anatomists

McKnight Scholar Award

College of Biolocial Sciences Faculty Research Award

Scientific Innovations Award – Brain Research Foundation

Department and Center Affiliations

Center for Neuroscience

CBS Grad Group Affiliations

Neuroscience

Specialties / Focus

Neuroscience

• Systems Neuroscience

Graduate Groups not Housed in CBS

Psychology

Labs

Usrey Lab

• Scottie Alexander, Henry Alitto, Evan Antzoulatos, Jeff Johnson, Katie Neverkovec, Alyssa Sanchez, Stacey Seidl, Dan Sperka

Teaching Interests

Systems Neuroscience, Human Physiology, Neurobiology of Vision, Neuroanatomy.

Courses

NSC 222 Systems Neuroscience (Winter)

NPB 101 Human Physiology (Spring)

NSC 201 Neuroanatomy (Fall)

NSC 261B Visual Neuroscience (Winter)