Pioneer in Neural Circuit Physiology and Imaging
Associated with :
École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneJack Waters is an Associate Investigator in the Neural Coding group at the Allen Institute for Brain Science. After earning his BSc in Biochemistry from the University of York and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from University College London, he completed postdoctoral work at Stanford University and the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research. Before joining the Allen Institute, he served as Assistant Professor of Physiology at Northwestern University. His pioneering work includes combining electrophysiology with 2-photon imaging to study neural circuits in intact rodents and investigating how synaptic activity modulates neocortical pyramidal neuron excitability. He developed innovative optogenetic techniques to control acetylcholine release in neocortex, revealing the significant role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in pyramidal neurons. His current research focuses on understanding cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying behavioral changes in cortical physiology. At the Allen Institute, he contributes to large-scale brain mapping initiatives while leading investigations into neural coding and circuit function