Neil Burgess (neuroscientist)

Neil Burgess Royal Society (cropped)

Neil Burgess is a prominent neuroscientist known for his significant contributions to the field of cognitive neuroscience. He is particularly recognized for his research on spatial memory and the hippocampus.

Early Life and Education

Neil Burgess was born in London, England. He completed his undergraduate studies in Physics at the University of Bristol. He then pursued a PhD in Theoretical Physics at the University of Manchester, where he developed an interest in the neuroscience of memory.

Career

After completing his PhD, Burgess transitioned to the field of neuroscience. He joined the University College London (UCL) where he has held various academic positions. He is currently a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience.

Research

Neil Burgess's research primarily focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying spatial memory and navigation. His work has significantly advanced the understanding of how the hippocampus and related brain structures support these cognitive functions.

Spatial Memory and Navigation

Burgess has conducted extensive research on the role of the hippocampus in spatial memory and navigation. He has used a combination of computational modeling, neuroimaging, and behavioral experiments to investigate how the brain represents and processes spatial information.

Head Direction Cells

One of Burgess's notable contributions is his work on head direction cells, which are neurons that fire when an animal's head is facing a specific direction. His research has helped elucidate how these cells contribute to the brain's internal representation of space.

Grid Cells

Burgess has also studied grid cells, which are neurons that activate in a grid-like pattern as an animal moves through its environment. His work has provided insights into how these cells support spatial navigation and memory.

Awards and Honors

Neil Burgess has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to neuroscience. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and has been recognized by various scientific organizations for his groundbreaking research.

Selected Publications

Burgess has authored and co-authored numerous influential papers in the field of cognitive neuroscience. Some of his key publications include:

• Burgess, N., et al. (2002). "The human hippocampus and spatial and episodic memory." Neuron.
• Burgess, N., et al. (2005). "A grid and place cell model of path integration." Neuron.

Related Pages

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Hippocampus
• Spatial Memory
• Head Direction Cells
• Grid Cells
• University College London
• Royal Society

See Also

• John O'Keefe (neuroscientist)
• May-Britt Moser
• Edvard I. Moser