Northwestern University · BiologyCerebellar Function and Motor Learning Lab
Indira M Raman · Evanston, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. Indira M Raman's research lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how the cerebellum helps us coordinate movements and learn new motor skills. The lab investigates how synaptic input impacts the firing patterns of neurons that play a crucial role in movement control. Using both mice and zebrafish, the team studies how these neurons respond to expected and unexpected sensory inputs during different behaviors, such as learning new tasks or adapting to changes. Insights from this research may help unravel the mechanisms behind movement disorders like ataxia and autism spectrum disorders.
cerebellumsynaptic codingmotor learningneural circuitryPurkinje neuronsbehavioral responseplasticityzebrafish modelsataxiaautism spectrum disorder
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how synaptic inputs influence the firing patterns of cerebellar nuclei neurons.
AIM 02Study the role of inhibitory synchrony from Purkinje neurons in motor output.
AIM 03Explore the neural mechanisms during motor learning and habituation.
AIM 04Assess the effects of unexpected sensory inputs on cerebellar signaling.
AIM 05Link biophysical observations with behavioral outcomes in model organisms.
Skills the Lab Values
in vitro electrophysiologyvivo imaging techniquesmouse modelslarval zebrafish techniquesneurotransmission assaysbehavioral testingdata analysis using Pythoncell culturemolecular cloning
Output against the department
Publications82bottom 25% of dept.770th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.4ktop 49% of dept.510th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.