Our labs explore the brain from genes and molecules to circuits and behavior, laying the necessary foundation to develop treatments and cures for neurological disease.
Salil Bidaye
Research Group Leader
(561) 972-9000
Salil.Bidaye@mpfi.org
Dr. Bidaye started his Research Group Leader position at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience in April 2021, leading the Neuronal Control of Locomotion group. His research focuses on understanding how fast and precise locomotor decisions are executed at the level of genetically defined neural circuits.
McLean Bolton
Research Group Leader
(561) 972-9000
Mclean.Bolton@mpfi.org
Dr. M. McLean Bolton started her Research Group Leader position at MPFI in January, 2011, leading the Disorders of Neural Circuit Function group. Her research focuses on understanding how neural circuits are altered in neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia.
David Fitzpatrick
Chief Executive Officer,
Scientific Director
(561) 972-9000
info@maxplanckflorida.org
Dr. Fitzpatrick was named Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director of the Max Planck Florida Institute on January 3, 2011. In addition to his Institute leadership, Dr. Fitzpatrick leads the Functional Architecture and Development of the Cerebral Cortex research group. His research focuses on the functional organization and development of neural circuits in the visual cortex.
Hidehiko Inagaki
Research Group Leader
(561) 972-9000
hidehiko.inagaki@mpfi.org
Dr. Inagaki started his Research Group Leader position at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience in September 2019, leading the Neural Dynamics and Cognitive Functions research group. His research focuses on understanding the cellular and network mechanisms of cognitive functions, such as purposeful movement initiation and time perception.
Vidhya Rangaraju
Research Group Leader
(561) 972-9414
Vidhya.Rangaraju@mpfi.org
Dr. Vidhya Rangaraju started her Research Group Leader position at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience in January, 2020, leading the Neuroenergetics research group. Her research focuses on the energy use and supply of biological processes in neurons.
Sarah Stern
Research Group Leader
(561) 972-9000
sarah.stern@mpfi.org
Dr. Sarah Stern started as a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience in January 2021, leading the Integrative Neural Circuits and Behavior research group. Her research focuses on understanding how learning integrates with internal drives to produce flexible behavioral outcomes.
Lin Tian
Scientific Director
(561) 972-9200
lin.tian@mpfi.org
lintianlab.org
Dr. Lin Tian started as Scientific Director of the Max Planck Florida Institute in October, 2023. In addition to her Institute leadership, she leads the Molecular Biotechnology for Neural Dynamics and Therapeutics research group. Her research focuses on technological innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration to uncover the connections between brain function and behavior in healthy and diseased states, such as neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Yingxue Wang
Research Group Leader
(561) 972-9000
Yingxue.Wang@mpfi.org
Dr. Wang joined the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience in February 2018, leading the Neuronal Mechanisms of Episodic Memory research group. Her research focuses on the mechanisms underlying hippocampal neuronal dynamics in memory.
Dr. Ryohei Yasuda
Scientific Director
(561) 972-9000
info@maxplanckflorida.org
Dr. Yasuda started as Scientific Director of the Max Planck Florida Institute in January 2012. In addition to his Institute leadership, Dr. Yasuda leads the Neuronal Signal Transduction research group. His research focuses on understanding the operational principles and signaling networks behind synaptic plasticity, learning and memory.
A Molecular Anchor
Biological batteries called mitochondria are anchored near neuronal synapses to power their functions. Scientists have now identified an ALS-linked protein, VAP-B, as the molecular anchor that tethers mitochondria near synapses to support memory formation.
Our Training Programs
Are you interested in contributing to the research at MPFI? We seek passionate students across all training levels who are interested in helping to solve the most difficult and pressing questions in Neuroscience.

Find out how your gift can make an impact in
understanding the mysteries of the brain









