Home Department: Symbolic Systems
Mentor: Jennifer Raymond (Neurobiology)

"Understanding How Error Signals in the Cerebellum Control Learning"

This project investigates how the brain learns from a single mistake. When learning a new skill, the cerebellum receives error signals through special inputs called climbing fibers. Christopher will use light-based (optogenetic) tools to activate climbing fibers during the execution of a movement, and thereby precisely control the timing and consistency of error signals in the relevant neural circuit. Analysis of how the timing of each error signal influences single-trial learning and its buildup across trials will provide unprecedented insight about the computational rules governing the development of skills through practice.