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I am now a research assistant professor at Rutgers University in Newark.

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Currently my focus is on modeling the contribution of various noise sources to the observed subthreshold voltage fluctuations in single neurons. The most significant sources are random spontaneous release from synaptic connections, and the stochastic opening and closing of ion channels in the neuron's membrane. Individual ion channels, which are central to signal initiation and propagation in neurons, open and close probablistically (and hence randomly), thereby permitting current flow, which leads to voltage fluctuations in the neuron's membrane. Starting with a model of ion channel kinetics, and using the theory of Markov chains, we can calculate the power spectrum of these current fluctuations. Furthermore, using cable theory and the NEURON simulation environment, its possible to calculate the resulting power spectrum of the voltage fluctuations that occur at the cell body and compare these with experimental calculations.

Previously I studied the evaporation of charged black holes with David A. Lowe in the Brown University Theoretical High Energy Group .

Below is a picture of me in Rio de Janeiro (I am the one on the right). Other times I look like this .

For my non-academic interests click HERE .

This site has been visited times since September 10th, 2002.