William T Newsome

BIOGRAPHY

ACADEMIC POSITION:
• Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• Professor, Department of Neurobiology

EDUCATION:
• BS degree in Physics (Stetson University)
• PhD degree in Biology (California Institute of Technology)

MEMBERSHIPS:
• Member of the National Academy of Sciences (USA)

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Neural processes that mediate visual perception and visually guided behavior

The long-term goal of our research is to understand the neuronal processes that mediate visual perception and visually guided behavior. To this end we are conducting parallel behavioral and physiological experiments in animals that are trained to perform selected perceptual or eye movement tasks. By recording the activity of cortical neurons during performance of such tasks, we gain initial insights into the relationship of neuronal activity to the animal's behavioral capacities. Hypotheses concerning this relationship are tested by modifying neural activity within local cortical circuits to determine whether behavior is effected in a predictable manner. Computer modelling techniques are then used to develop more refined hypotheses concerning the relationship of brain to behavior that are both rigorous and testable. This combination of behavioral, electrophysiological and computational techniques provides a realistic basis for neurophysiological investigation of cognitive functions such as perception, memory and motor planning.

HOME PAGE
http://med.stanford.edu/profiles/William_Newsome/