David Herzfeld, PhD

Keywords: eye movements, saccades, smooth pursuit, cerebellum, basal ganglia, motor learning, adaptation

Education
BS, 2010, Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University
MS, 2011, Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University
PhD, 2016, Biomedical Engineering, John Hopkins University

Research Interests

Dr. Herzfeld’s research aims to understand how neural circuits perform computations that drive precise and adaptive behavior. The Herzfeld lab integrates highly quantifiable behavior in non-human primates, large-scale neural recordings, brain circuit manipulations, and computational modeling to link neural circuit processing to behavior.

Motor behavior, in particular, offers a powerful framework for understanding neural processing because movements can be precisely quantified. The Herzfeld lab is particularly interested in how movements are generated and potentially modified through multiple learning processes. Additionally, the lab investigates how neurological conditions impact motor control and learning.

A key focus of the Herzfeld lab is the cerebellum, a brain region essential for motor control and motor learning. Dr. Herzfeld’s past and current research investigates how cerebellar circuits influence ongoing eye movements, with specific attention to two oculomotor behaviors: saccades and smooth pursuit eye movements.

While the lab explores various motor behaviors, current projects on eye movements investigate how the cerebellum and downstream circuits learn from experience to maintain well-calibrated movements across an individual’s lifespan. The lab also examines how multiple brain regions coordinate their activity during oculomotor behavior by identifying the computations performed within and across different brain areas during motor execution and learning. To address these questions, the lab conducts experiments across a range of brain regions, including the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and cerebral cortex.

Beyond oculomotor control, the Herzfeld Lab explores how eye movements serve as a window into higher-order cognitive processes, providing insights into decision-making, mental processing, and the formation of internal plans.

Publications
Google Scholar
PubMed