Dun Mao

Research Interests

In general terms, Dun is interested in how neural circuits support cognitive functions. For example, how neural circuits generate oscillations we observe in the hippocampus, and how the spiking patterns which are entrained by the oscillations support memory. His research is focused on measuring the local field potential and spiking activity of hundreds of pyramidal cells and interneurons, using large-scale in-vivo neuronal recordings in the hippocampus and other cortices of rats in different states. The hippocampus serves as the neural substrate for memory and spatial navigation in rats and other mammals. Understanding local computation in the hippocampus and its interactions with other areas would shed light on the mechanism and cure of human disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, stress, and schizophrenia.

Background

Dun received a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Zhejiang University, China in June 2010. From September 2010 to June 2011, he worked in the Buzsaki lab at Rutgers University, USA, studying the effect of transcranial electric stimulation on spike-and-wave patterns and the hippocampal representations of interval timing. He joined Dr. Bruce McNaughton’s lab in September 2011 as a Master’s student.