Dr. , professor of neurobiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of the , has been recognized by the National Academy of Sciences for her outstanding advancements in understanding the underlying mechanisms of decision making and sensory-guided behavior.
The academy has selected Churchland for its 2025 . The annual award is granted to a mid-career neuroscientist who has made significant contributions in the understanding of the nervous system.
Academy researchers recognized Churchland for her research into the neural circuitry that influences decision-making and how the brain utilizes information from our senses, memories and impulses.
“She has pioneered multi-faceted approaches to measure and manipulate neurons in cortical and subcortical areas while animals make decisions about sensory signals,” the National Academy of Sciences stated in a news release about the award. “To connect the neural responses with behavior, Churchland’s lab uses mathematical analyses aimed at understanding what information is represented at the level of neural populations, both at a given moment and over time.”
Churchland was also recognized for her contributions to team science, including being a founding member of the International Brain Laboratory.
In receiving the award, Churchland will be provided a $50,000 research award to designate to a neuroscience research institution of her choice. The academy will hold an official awards ceremony for Churchland on April 27, 2025 during the academy’s annual meeting.
