Population-level dynamics in prefrontal cortex reflect hierarchical decision structure
Nature Neuroscience · 2025
Dr. Elena Vasquez-Chen
Associate Professor of Computational Neuroscience
South Harmon Institute of Technology
evasquez@harmon.edu
About
I study how neural circuits in the prefrontal cortex give rise to flexible decision-making. My lab combines large-scale electrophysiology, computational modeling, and machine learning to decode the population dynamics underlying cognitive control. Before joining Harmon, I completed postdoctoral training at Greendale Institute and earned my PhD at Pemberton University. My work has been supported by the Wexler Science Fund, Meridian Research Council, and the Lakeshore Foundation.
Research areas
Computational neuroscienceNeural population dynamicsDecision-making circuitsPrefrontal cortexMachine learning for neuroscienceDimensionality reductionBrain-computer interfaces
Active grants
Neural population dynamics of hierarchical decision-making in PFC
Wexler R01 · $2,400,000
Computational models of prefrontal-hippocampal interaction during working memory
Meridian BRAIN Initiative · $1,200,000
Machine learning tools for large-scale neural data analysis
Lakeshore Foundation · $600,000
Real-time decoding of cognitive states from neural ensemble activity
Atlas Research Agency · $1,800,000
Featured talk
Latest publications
12
Recurrent neural network models reveal context-dependent population codes in PFC
Nature Communications · 2024
Real-time decoding of prefrontal ensemble dynamics during cognitive flexibility tasks
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2023
Deep learning approaches for spike sorting in high-density electrode arrays
NeurIPS · 2023
Prefrontal-hippocampal interactions during spatial working memory: evidence from simultaneous recordings
eLife · 2022
Education
Ph.D.
Pemberton University · 2016
M.S.
Pemberton University · 2013
B.S.
Thornfield College · 2011
Experience
Associate Professor
South Harmon Institute of Technology, Department of Neurobiology
Assistant Professor
South Harmon Institute of Technology, Department of Neurobiology
Postdoctoral Fellow
Greendale Institute, Hawkins Center for Brain Research
Awards
Castleton Scholar Award
Castleton Foundation · 2024
Birchwood Research Fellowship
Birchwood Science Trust · 2022
New Innovator Award
Wexler Science Fund · 2021
CAREER Award
Meridian Research Council · 2020