Our Faculty Labs

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.

Bidaye Lab
Neuronal Control of Locomotion

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.

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Bolton Lab
Disorders of Neural Circuit Function

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. 

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Fitzpatrick Lab
Functional Architecture and Development of the Cerebral Cortex

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.

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Inagaki Lab
Neural Dynamics and Cognitive Functions

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.

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Rangaraju Lab
Neuroenergetics

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.

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Dr. Sarah Stern smiling, wearing a red top

Stern Lab
Integrative Neural Circuits and Behavior

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.

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Tian Lab
Molecular Biotechnology for Neural Dynamics and Therapeutics

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.

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Wang Lab
Neuronal Mechanisms of Episodic Memory

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.

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Yasuda Lab
Neuronal Signal Transduction

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.

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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.

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