Population recordings reveal rich neural codes, and many analyses treat neurons as an arbitrarily ordered list of units, modelling their relationships without reference to their physical arrangement. However, evidence suggests that spatial arrangement can shape neural interactions and computation, motivating approaches that explicitly incorporate neurons’ physical positions. Inspired by field theory in physics, I study neural populations as spatially extended systems, asking how tissue geometry and finite signal propagation constrain the neural interactions that give rise to collective dynamics during behaviour.
Working with Nicolas Brunel (Bocconi, Milan) and Nicho Hatsopoulos (UChicago), I currently focus on the motor system. I also collaborate with Xiao-Jing Wang (NYU) on working memory.
Previously: vision with Lyle Muller (Western), in collaboration with John Reynolds (Salk Institute); neuroimaging with Ravi Menon (Western).