Faculty and Research Units
OIST research units take a cross-disciplinary approach to research, and the PhD program encourages students to explore the intersections of disparate fields of science and technology. Find the research unit of your interest below.
Faculty and Research Units
Find a Faculty Member or Research Unit
Biological Nonlinear Dynamics Data Science Unit
The biological nonlinear dynamics data science unit investigates complex systems explicitly taking into account the role of time. We do this by instead of averaging occurrences using their statistics, we treat observations as frames of a movie and if patterns reoccur then we can use their behaviors in the past to predict their future. In most cases the systems that we study are part of complex networks of interactions and cover multiple scales. These include but are not limited to systems neuroscience, gene expression, posttranscriptional regulatory processes, to ecology, but also include societal and economic systems that have complex interdependencies. The processes that we are most interested in are those where the data has a particular geometry known as low dimensional manifolds. These are geometrical objects generated from embeddings of data that allows us to predict their future behaviors, investigate causal relationships, find if a system is becoming unstable, find early warning signs of critical transitions or catastrophes and more. Our computational approaches are based on tools that have their origin in the generalized Takens theorem, and are collectively known as empirical dynamic modeling (EDM). As a lab we are both a wet and dry lab where we design wet lab experiments that maximize the capabilities of our mathematical methods. The results from this data driven science approach then allows us to generate mechanistic hypotheses that can be again tested experimentally for empirical confirmation. This approach merges traditional hypothesis driven science and the more modern Data driven science approaches into a single virtuous cycle of discovery.
Gerald Pao
Assistant Professor
Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit
The Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit is dedicated to investigating the principles of embodied cognition by conducting experimental studies in synthetic neurorobotics. The primary goals of our research are to understand:on how innate structures can be leveraged to develop cognitive constructs through iterative but limited behavioral experiences; how primary intersubjectivity in social cognition can be formed through enactive and contextual interactions with others; and how subjective experiences such as consciousness and free will can be scientifically and phenomenologically explained. In addition, our developmental neurorobotics approach is intended to uncover the underlying mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism. Through these researches, we can expect to deepen our ontological understanding of human beings, rather than simply creating another smart machine-learning robot.
Jun Tani
Professor
Computational Neuroethology Unit
The Computational Neuroethology Unit seeks to uncover the principles governing animal behavior and its neural basis. We are currently focusing on cephalopods: squid, octopus, and cuttlefish.
Sam Reiter
Assistant Professor
Computational Neuroscience Unit
We study how neurons and microcircuits in the brain operate and explore the influences of neuronal morphology and excitability on common neural functions such as synaptic plasticity and learning, and determine how molecular mechanisms enable these functions.
Erik De Schutter
Professor
Developmental Neurobiology Unit
Developmental Neurobiology Unit uses zebrafish retina as a model to study mechanisms that control neuronal differentiation and circuit formation, and neuronal degeneration and regeneration.
Ichiro Masai
Professor
Embodied Cognitive Science Unit
We are developing theoretical and experimental projects in cognitive science, guided by the hypothesis that agent-environment interaction is an essential part of mental activity.
Tom Froese
Assistant Professor
Evolutionary Neurobiology Unit
Research projects of the Evolutionary Neurobiology Unit include (1) anatomical and physiological dissections of the nervous systems of basal metazoans, mainly on diffused and regionally cond...
Hiroshi Watanabe
Associate Professor
Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit
The Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit investigates the nature and causes of ADHD, including reward sensitivity, translating this information into empirically supported treatments.
Gail Tripp
Professor
Membrane Cooperativity Unit
We develop methods for single-molecule imaging and analysis, and apply them to unravel the mechanisms by which the cellular plasma membrane perform signaling and synaptic transmission.
Akihiro Kusumi
Professor
Memory Research Unit
Memory Research Unit aims to know how memories are formed and used in the brain. However, the hippocampal contribution remains unclear. Our goal is to understand its role in memory.
Kazumasa Tanaka
Assistant Professor
Molecular Neuroscience Unit
The Molecular Neuroscience Unit investigates the mechanisms and consequences of the transport of information from the neuronal periphery to the center in health and disease.
Marco Terenzio
Assistant Professor
Neural Circuit Unit
Neural Circuit Unit studies motor circuits using various techniques such as molecular biology, mouse genetics, trans-synaptic viruses, optogenetic, and chemogenetic tools.
Yutaka Yoshida
Professor
Neural Coding and Brain Computing Unit
Cognitive functions of the brain, such as sensory perception, learning and memory, and decision-making emerge from computations by neural networks. The advantages of biological neural comput...
Tomoki Fukai
Professor
Neural Computation Unit
The Neural Computation Unit develops algorithms that elucidate the brain’s mechanisms for robust and flexible learning. The unit focuses on how the brain processes reinforcement learning, in...
Kenji Doya
Professor
Neurobiology Research Unit
The goal of the Neurobiology Research Unit is to understand neural mechanisms of learning in the brain. The unit studies physical changes that take place in synapses due to learning experien...
Jeff Wickens
Professor
Neuronal Mechanism for Critical Period Unit
Songbirds learn to sing by communicating with adults as humans learn to speak during developmental ’critical period’. We explore how the brain is shaped with experiences during development.
Yoko Yazaki-Sugiyama
Professor
Neuronal Rhythms in Movement Unit
How are temporal sequences of brain activity transformed into physical body movements? Seeking answers within the neuronal rhythms of the olivo-cerebellar circuits using the coolest tools.
Marylka Yoe Uusisaari
Associate Professor
Optical Neuroimaging Unit
The Optical Neuroimaging Unit uses home-built two-photon microscopes and special fluorescent dyes to image neuronal and astrocytic activity on a cellular level in behaving mice.
Bernd Kuhn
Professor