Overview
That a picture can be worth a thousand words relies on the power of the visual system. In order to divide the labor of this task, the visual cortex is organized into specialized modules that process distinct features. My lab uses the mouse visual system and modern genetic, optical, electrophysiological and behavioral approaches to reveal how these modules are coordinated to support vision and guide behavior.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of Neurobiology
·
2020 - Present
Neurobiology,
Basic Science Departments
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
·
2013 - Present
Duke Institute for Brain Sciences,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Connectivity, Computation, and Plasticity of the Early Visual System.
Journal Article J Neurosci · November 12, 2025 The visual system is a complex hierarchical structure that processes diverse visual information to guide cognition and behavior. Elucidating the principles that govern the development and function of the visual system's circuitry is a central goal in visua ... Full text Link to item CiteHow to make a decision? Trust the wisdom of the masses.
Journal Article Neuron · July 23, 2025 How is information in sensory cortex used to guide behavior? In this issue, Bounds and Adesnik1 manipulate the activity of specific neural ensembles to demonstrate that total network activation, not just activation of the most sensitive neurons, determines ... Full text Link to item CiteBehavioral state and stimulus strength regulate the role of somatostatin interneurons in stabilizing network activity.
Journal Article Cell Rep · July 22, 2025 Inhibition stabilization enables cortical circuits to encode sensory signals across diverse contexts. Somatostatin-expressing (SST) interneurons are well suited for this role through their strong recurrent connectivity with excitatory pyramidal cells. We t ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Neurobiology Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2024 - 2029Invariant motion encoding in mouse visual cortex
FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Eye Institute · 2024 - 2027Dissecting cholinergic modulation of interneurons underlying state-dependent processing in mouse visual cortex
FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Eye Institute · 2023 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of California, San Diego ·
2007
Ph.D.