The Cognitive Neuroscience Society has named Prof. Eve Marder (BIOL) the recipient of the 18th Annual George A. Miller Prize.

Founded in 1995, this prestigious award honors the pioneering work of George A. Miller, whose work had a great impact on the field of cognitive neuroscience. In an email to the Justice, Marder noted her surprise upon receiving the award, as she does not categorize her group's work as cognitive neuroscience. She explained that her research has centered on better understanding the mechanisms that control the function of neuronal circuits, specifically in crabs and lobsters.

For the last seven years, her group has studied the variability in the neuronal circuit structure and function found in normal, healthy animals of the same species. "This clearly has importance for how the human brain processes information," she commented, "so I was extremely flattered to feel that scientists working directly with humans would see the relevance of our mechanistic studies to human brain function."

According to the society's website, the recipient is chosen based on a career that is "characterized by distinguished and sustained scholarship and research at the cutting-edge of their discipline and that has in the past, or has the potential in the future, to revolutionize cognitive neuroscience." Marder's research has fulfilled this description, as, according to the Brandeis science blog, her work has been critical for defining fundamental concepts regarding functions of the brain and nervous system. Specifically, the blog noted, Marder's work has focused on looking at the stomatogastric ganglion, a small crustacean motor circuit, from different perspectives, first looking at circuit development and modulation of neurons and more recently analyzing the importance of variability in the physiology of this circuit.

Several Brandeis faculty agreed with the society's nomination this year.

Prof. Paul DiZio (PSYC), department chair, remarked in an email to the Justice that the award Marder is receiving "recognizes that progress in cognitive neuroscience depends on the kind of foundational, inter-disciplinary studies she has pioneered." He continued, writing that former recipients of the award have conducted work on tasks with humans or primates, oriented toward better understanding higher cortical functions such as memory, decision and complex pattern recognition.

Marder's research investigates small systems of neurons that regulate invertebrate motor behavior, ranging from a molecular to behavioral understanding. "This award recognizes that her work has redefined what neuroscience means by the term ‘complex system.' The questions she has chosen to ask and the principles she has uncovered are so fundamental that they have already had a great impact on people studying attributes which we consider most human and will in the future improve our understanding of mental function and dysfunction," he added. He noted that another aspect of the nominee the society looks for is a commitment to training future cognitive neuroscientists.

Additionally, Prof. Susan Birren (BIOL), dean of Arts and Sciences, stated, "I am delighted that she is receiving the [award]. It is a richly deserved honor recognizing Professor Marder's innovative and distinguished research over the course of her entire career." She further commented that Marder's "insight, excitement and persistence in working on hard problems in Cognitive Neuroscience has contributed to her success and makes her a wonderful role model for young scientists at Brandeis and every place else."

"It is a wonderful time to enter the field of neuroscience," Marder commented. "New techniques have opened up the possibility of doing remarkable experiments relevant to the function of healthy brains and that will allow us to understand the underpinnings of many devastating neurological and psychiatric disease."

She also encouraged students to research problems that really captivate them. "Science is the process of discovering new knowledge, and it is inherently difficult. It is exceptionally rewarding to see or do something for the first time, and to help unravel one of the mysteries of the universe. But the struggle to learn something new can be frustrating, and therefore it is really important that young scientists be truly fascinated by what they are doing."