Ongoing Projects

We study the neural dynamics that enable information exchange between brain areas—specifically, how information encoded in one neural structure influences processing in another, how these bidirectional interactions support learning and behavior, and how these mechanisms break down in epilepsy. Despite decades of research, the principles governing information flow across brain networks remain largely unresolved. Addressing this challenge requires recording simultaneously from large populations of neurons across multiple brain structures during well-controlled behavioral tasks, combined with rigorous data analysis methods.

Current research projects are led by PhD candidates Gabriel Makdah and Pietro Bozzo, and postdoctoral researcher Sara Simula

Gabriel Makdah - Hemispheric Specialization in Cross-structural Dialogue

Gabriel is investigating whether, and how, cross-structural neural communication is lateralized across brain hemispheres in the rodent brain. Using simultaneous recordings from the bilateral hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex during fear learning and extinction, his work examines whether neuronal responses in downstream structures are preferentially driven by hippocampal activity originating from a specific hemisphere. In parallel, Gabriel is developing a novel computational method called ISAC (Identification of Synchronously Active Cells) to detect cell assemblies while ensuring that all identified neurons are truly synchronous. This approach addresses important limitations of existing methods that rely primarily on pairwise measures. This methodological work will provide robust tools for analyzing neural population dynamics across all of our research projects. Stay tuned for a preprint describing ISAC in early 2026!

Pietro Bozzo - Cross-structural Communication Through Neuronal Avalanches

Pietro is investigating how the nucleus reuniens (NR) orchestrates hippocampal–prefrontal communication during memory consolidation in sleep. Using simultaneous high-density recordings from the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and nucleus reuniens, we have identified a previously unreported infra-slow mechanism by which neuronal avalanches in the NR structure hippocampo-prefrontal interactions during NREM sleep. Pietro’s work focuses on characterizing the spatiotemporal dynamics of these avalanches and understanding how they facilitate information transfer between distant brain regions. Pietro is also involved in collaborative projects aimed at revealing how local neural computations scale up to support brain-wide dynamics, bridging the gap between microscopic cellular activity and macroscopic brain function. Come see our poster at Cosyne 2026!

Sara Simula - Neural Population Dynamics in Epilepsy

Sara is studying how circuit-level dynamics are altered in epilepsy, with a particular focus on the cyclical nature of seizure risk. She analyzes how epileptiform activity across different brain states affects neural population excitability over multidien timescales. Her work has revealed that epileptic interictal spikes occurring during sleep differ from those observed during wakefulness and exert a stronger modulation of neural populations. By tracking how neuronal responsiveness to these events fluctuates over days, Sara's research is uncovering potential neurophysiological mechanisms underlying epilepsy cyclicity, with important implications for predicting and managing seizure risk. Stay tuned for a new preprint!