
Position Title
Professor
Chair of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
- NPB, Center for Neuroscience, Neurology - Medicine
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
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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)