Edvard Moser

Edvard Moser 2015

Edvard Ingjald Moser (born 27 April 1962) is a Norwegian psychologist, neuroscientist, and institute director at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway. He is best known for his pioneering work on the brain's mechanisms for representing space together with May-Britt Moser, his wife and long-term collaborator. The Mosers were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2014, along with John O'Keefe, for their discoveries of cells that constitute a positioning system in the brain, an "inner GPS" that enables navigation and memory.

Early Life and Education

Edvard Moser was born in Ålesund, Norway. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Oslo, where he initially studied psychology before moving into neuroscience. It was during his time at the University of Oslo that he met May-Britt Moser, who would become both his research partner and wife. Together, they moved to the University of Edinburgh for their postdoctoral work, where they delved deeper into the study of the brain's mechanisms for processing spatial location.

Career and Research

Upon returning to Norway, Edvard and May-Britt Moser established the Moser research environment at NTNU. Their work has focused on understanding how the brain computes spatial location and navigation. In 2005, they discovered a type of cell in the brain's entorhinal cortex, which they named "grid cells". These cells generate a coordinate system that allows for precise positioning and pathfinding in the surrounding environment. This discovery was crucial for understanding how the brain perceives and navigates space, and it has significant implications for research into neurological diseases like Alzheimer's disease.

The Mosers' research has been characterized by a multidisciplinary approach, combining techniques and insights from psychology, neuroscience, and medicine. Their work has not only advanced our understanding of spatial memory but has also opened new avenues for investigating cognitive processes and memory disorders.

Awards and Honors

Edvard Moser's contributions to neuroscience have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2014. He is also a member of several prestigious academies, including the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and the National Academy of Sciences in the United States. His work has had a profound impact on the field of neuroscience, influencing both theoretical understanding and practical research methodologies.

Personal Life

Edvard Moser is married to May-Britt Moser, and together they have contributed significantly to the field of neuroscience. They have been lauded not only for their scientific discoveries but also for their collaborative approach to research and discovery.

Legacy and Impact

Edvard Moser's work has fundamentally changed our understanding of how the brain processes spatial information. The discovery of grid cells has opened new research paths in understanding the cognitive processes underlying navigation and memory. His work continues to inspire researchers across the globe, contributing to advances in treating and understanding neurological conditions and diseases.