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Kanaka Rajan, PhD
img_Kanaka Rajan
ADJUNCT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
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Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Neuroscience [NEU]
RESEARCH
The Rajan Lab brings together the fields of brain research and AI to figure out how the brain works. We use mathematical and computational models based on data collected from neuroscience experiments to design an artificial system that can perform realistic behaviors using only the machinery the biological nervous system has access to (i.e., neurons and synapses operating at a fast timescale). After building these systems, we can then ‘reverse engineer’ them to reveal the operating principles of the real brain.
 
The resulting integrative theories and models have the potential to transform the way we study the brain, by making specific, quantifiable predictions that lead to new hypotheses about how the brain works. We are currently applying this approach to both healthy brains and to those affected by neuropsychiatric diseases. For more information about the Rajan Lab, please visit www.rajanlab.com.

2022

McKnight Foundation Scholar Award

2021

Allen Institute Next Generation Leaders Council (NGL)

2021

National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award

2021

Harold and Golden Lamport Basic Science Research Award

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

2020

Subject Matter Expert for Multi-Scale Neural Network Models

National Institutes of Health, SPARC Program

2020

Co-Lead for the Computational Neuroscience Working Group within Interagency Modeling and Analysis Group (IMAG)

National Institutes of Health

2020

Friedman Brain Institute Research Scholars Award from the Dyal Foundation

2019

Friedman Brain Institute Research Scholars Award from the DiSabato Family

2019

Sloan Research Fellowship in Neuroscience

2019

BRAIN Initiative R01, Theories, Models, and Methods pathway, National Institutes of Biomedical Engineering and Bioimaging

National Institutes of Health (NIBIB/NIH)

2019

FOUNDATIONS Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF)

2018

Mindlin Foundation 1Tweet1P Award, Neuroscience meets Graphic Novel

2016

Understanding Human Cognition Scholar Award from the James McDonnell

2016

Visiting Research Fellowship, Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

2015

Brain and Behavior Foundation (formerly, NARSAD) Young Investigator Award

2011

Lectureship, Department of Molecular Biology and the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University for Methods and Logic in Quantitative Biology

2011

Grant from the Organization for Computational Neurosciences (OCNS)

2010

Sloan-Swartz Theoretical Neuroscience Postdoctoral Fellowship

2004

Pulin Sampat Memorial Teaching Award, Brandeis University

2001

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Junior Research Fellowship

25
Publications

Selected Publications

Amplified cortical neural responses as animals learn to use novel activity patterns. Bradley Akitake, Hannah M. Douglas, Paul K. LaFosse, Manuel Beiran, Ciana E. Deveau, Jonathan O'Rawe, Anna J. Li, Lauren N. Ryan, Samuel P. Duffy, Zhishang Zhou, Yanting Deng, Kanaka Rajan, Mark H. Histed. Current Biology

A ‘programming’ framework for recurrent neural networks. Manuel Beiran, Camille A. Spencer-Salmon, Kanaka Rajan. Nature Machine Intelligence

Network models to enhance the translational impact of cross-species studies. Julia K. Brynildsen, Kanaka Rajan, Michael X. Henderson, Dani S. Bassett. Nature Reviews Neuroscience

View All Publications

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Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.

Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Rajan during 2022 and/or 2023. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

Industry-Sponsored Lectures: MSSM faculty occasionally give lectures at events sponsored by industry, but only if the events are free of any marketing purpose

  • University of Chicago
  • Brown University
  • Columbia University

Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.