List of women neuroscientists

The following is a list of women neuroscientists by nationality – notable women who are well known for their work in the field of neuroscience.

Argentina

Cecilia Bouzat (born 1961), biochemist studying neurological disorders

Australia

Lyn Beazley (born 1944), British-born Australian neuroscientist and educator
Leeanne Carey (born 1959), neuroscientist in occupational therapy and stroke rehabilitation and recovery research
Una Lucy Fielding (1888–1969), neuroanatomist remembered for discovering the vascular link between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland
Mary Galea (born 1951), physiotherapist and neuroscientist at the University of Melbourne
Jee Hyun Kim (fl. from 2004), behavioral neuroscientist focusing on emotional learning and memory during childhood
Elspeth McLachlan (born 1942), world authority on neural pathways within the autonomic nervous system
Pat Michie (retired 2009), emeritus professor of psychology at Australia's University of Newcastle
Kathryn North (fl. from 1994), paediatric physician, neurologist, and clinical geneticist working on cognitive deficits in neurofibromatosis type 1 and intervention strategies for children with learning disabilities and inherited myopathies
Jennie Ponsford (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist researching the negative consequences of traumatic brain injury related to fatigue, sleep disturbance, attentional problems, mood and behavioural disturbances
Sandra Rees (born 1942), research into the pathogenesis of brain injury
Linda Richards, currently researching development of the cortical midline
Nicole Rinehart (fl. from 2000), focus on autism, Asperger's disorder and ADHD
Lesley Joy Rogers (born 1943), emeritus professor of neuroscience at Australia's University of New England
Renae Ryan (fl. 2000s), neuroscientists and pharmacologist promoting gender equity, diversity and inclusion
Ingrid Scheffer (born 1958), paediatric neurologist and senior research fellow focusing on epilepsy

Austria

Alexandra Adler (1901–2001), neurologist remembered for her work on the brain of a multiple sclerosis victim and for her research on posttraumatic stress disorder
Elisabeth Binder (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist specializing in the study of mood and anxiety disorders
Melly Oitzl (born 1955), behavioral neuroscientist focusing on relationships between stress, cognition and emotion

Brazil

Suzana Herculano-Houzel (born 1972), focus on neuroanatomy
Anna Christina Nobre (born 1963), UK-based Brazilian neuroscientist researching neural systems supporting cognitive functions in the human brain

Canada

Rosemary Bagot (born 1981), researching the mechanisms of altered brain function in depression
Frances Champagne (fl. from 2007), focus on molecular neuroscience, maternal behavior, and epigenetics
Anne Churchland (fl. from 2014), neuroscientist focusing on the function of the posterior parietal cortex in cognitive processes
Karen Davis (fl. from 1990), focusing on the mechanisms underlying acute and chronic pain and temperature perception, the influence of attention, and plasticity
Allison J. Doupe (1954–2014), psychiatrist, biologist, and neuroscientist focusing on avian neurobiology and communication
Lillian Dyck (born 1945), Saskatchewan senator, formerly a neuroscientist and dean at the University of Saskatchewan
Gillian Einstein (born 1952), American-born Canadian neuroscientist focusing on the anatomy of the female brain
Ariel Garten (born 1979), clothing designer and scientist exploring the intersection of art and neuroscience
Isabel Gauthier (born 1971), cognitive neuroscientist and journal editor
Mireille Gillings (born 1971), US-based Canadian neurobiologist and entrepreneur
Rachel Sarah Herz (fl. from 1992), psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist focusing on the psychology of smell
Judy Illes (born 1960), professor of neurology focusing on neuroethics
Ingrid Johnsrude (fl. from 1997), neuroscientist and professor focusing on brain structure and language ability, and degenerative brain diseases in the elderly
Sheena Josselyn (fl. from 1990s), neuroscientist studying the neural basis of memory
Sandi Lam (fl. from 2010's), neurosurgeon studying novel uses of neuroendoscopy in minimally invasive epilepsy surgery
Daphne Maurer (fl. from late 1980s), experimental psychologist focusing on child development, vision and synaesthesia
Brenda Milner (born 1918), British-Canadian neuroscientist focusing on clinical neuropsychology
Kathryn Mary Murphy (fl. since early 1990s), neuroscientists studying the development and plasticity of the brain
Lorina Naci (fl. 2010s), Albanian-born Canadian psychologist and neuroscientist known for developing a method for communicating with patients in a persistent vegetative state
Isabelle Peretz (born 1956), professor of psychology specializing in music cognition
Jane Roskams (fl. from early 1990s), Isle of Man-born Canadian neuroscientist interested in Brain Big Data and Open Data sharing
Deboleena Roy (fl. from 2008), neuroscientist focusing on reproductive neuroendocrinology and molecular biology
Justine Sergent (1950–1994), Lebanese-born Canadian neuroscience researcher specializing in the functional neuroanatomy of face processing
Bernice Shanet (born 1929), neurophysiologist specializing in neuroregeneration research
Debra W. Soh (born 1990), science columnist, sex researcher and psychologist
Jane Stewart (fl. from 1980s), neuroscientist active in psychology, psychiatry, and psychopharmacology
Indre Viskontas (fl. since 2000s), Lithuanian-Canadian cognitive neuroscientist and operatic soprano
Sandra Witelson (fl. 1999), neuroscientist best known for her analysis of specimens from Albert Einstein's brain

China

Yang Dan (fl. from 1994), Chinese-born scientist based in the US specializing in neural circuits controlling sleep and the function of the prefrontal cortex
Nancy Ip (born 1955), Hong Kong neuroscientist
Lily Jan (born 1947), neuroscientist investigating the neuromuscular junction in Drosophila fly larvae
Li-Huei Tsai (fl. from 1990), Taiwanese neuroscientist based in the US known for her work on neurological disorders that affect learning and memory
Dayu Lin (fl 2000s), Chinese neuroscientist based in the U.S. studying neural circuits underlying aggression in rodents.
Hailan Hu (fl 2000s), explores neural mechanisms underlying social behaviors and psychiatric diseases
Li Zhaoping (born 1964), computational neuroscientist and vision scientist known for the V1 Saliency Hypothesis.

Czech Republic

Eva Syková (born 1944), neuroscientist researching ionic and volume homeostasis

Denmark

Gudrun Boysen (born 1939), neurologist researching the causes and effects of strokes
Gitte Moos Knudsen (born 1959), translational neurobiologist and clinical neurologist
Maiken Nedergaard (fl. from late 1980s), neuroscientist known for discovering the glyphatic system
Milena Penkowa (born 1973), neuroscientist guilty of scientific misconduct

Finland

Riitta Hari (born 1948), neuroscientist known for her work on the understanding of healthy and diseased human cortex development
Miia Kivipelto (born 1973), neuroscientist researching dementia and Alzheimer's disease

France

Denise Albe-Fessard (1916–2003), neuroscientist known for her research into the central nervous system pain pathways
Angélique Arvanitaki (1901–1983), neuroscientist known for her research into the electrical activity of neurons
Aurore Avarguès-Weber (born 1983), cognitive neuroscientist researching the behaviour of bees
Anne Beaumanoir (born 1923), neurophysiologist and resistance worker who headed the neurophysiology department of the University Hospital of Geneva
Catherine Vidal (born in 1951) is a neuroscientist specialized on difference between male and female brain.
Cécile Charrier (born 1983), neuroscientist researcher, recipient of the 2021 Irène Joliot-Curie “Young Female Scientist of the Year” award.
Augusta Déjerine-Klumpke (1859–1927), American-born French neuroanatomist known for co-authoring the two-volume book on the anatomy of nerve centers Anatomie des Centres Nerveux
Brigitte Kieffer (born 1958), molecular neurobiologist known for researching opiate receptors
Laurence Lanfumey (born 1954), neuroscientist specializing in preclinical research on neuroscience and molecular neuropsychopharmacology
Marcelle Lapicque (1873–1960), neurophysiologist known for her research on nerve impulses and the effects of poisons
Gabrielle Charlotte Lévy (1886-1934), neurologist for whose work the Roussy–Lévy syndrome and the Lhermitte-Lévy syndrome are named
Christine Petit (born 1948), geneticist known for pioneering work on the genetics of hearing and deafness
Cécile Vogt-Mugnier (1875–1962), neurologist known for extensive cytoarchitectonic studies on the brain
Claire Wyart (born 1977), biophysicist and neuroscientist studying the circuits underlying the control of locomotion, and chevalier of the Ordre National du Mérite.

Germany

Katrin Amunts (born 1962), neuroscientist known for brain mapping
Angela D. Friederici (born 1952), expert in neuropsychology and linguistics
Magdalena Götz (born 1962), neuroscientist noted for her study of glial cells
Eva-Maria Mandelkow (fl. from 1970s), neuroscientist and Alzheimer's Disease researcher
Petra Ritter (born 1974), neuroscientist applying computational neuroscience to brain simulations
Constance Scharff (born 1959), zoologist and neuroethologist researching birdsong and neurogenesis
Sigrid Schmitz (born 1961), neuroscientist researching gender and science technology with a focus on brain sciences and contemporary neurocultures
Tania Singer (born 1969), psychologist and social neuroscientist
Marthe Vogt (1903–2003), remembered for her important contributions to the understanding of the role of neurotransmitters in the brain
Nadine Gogolla (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist known for decoding facial expressions in mice as emotion-like and correlating this to neural activity

Greece

Sophia Frangou (fl. from 1990s), US-based neuroscientist researching the pathophysiological processes underlying psychosis
Nancy Papalopulu (fl. from 1990), UK-based neuroscientist researching how the timing of neurogenesis is regulated during vertebrate development

Hungary

Elizabeth Roboz Einstein (1904–1995), biochemist and neuroscientist known for purifying and characterizing myelin basic protein

India

T. S. Kanaka (1932–2018), Asia's first female neurosurgeon
Sandhya Koushika (fl. from 2000s), neuroscientist focusing on regulation of axonal transport within nerve cells
Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath (born 1953), neuroscientist focused on the study of brain related disorders
M. V. Padma Srivastava (born 1965), neurologist, medical academic and writer known for the Acute Stroke Programme
Shubha Tole (born 1967), neuroscientist investigating the development and evolution of the mammalian brain
Vidita Vaidya (fl. from 2000), neuroscientist researching molecular psychiatry and the neurocircuitry of emotion
Shashi Wadhwa (born 1948), known for anatomy and developmental neuroscience

Ireland

Eleanor Maguire (born 1970), researching episodic memory in the context of wider cognition
Mary Reilly (fl. 2000s), neurologist studying peripheral neuropathy

Israel

Daphna Joel (born 1967), behavioural neuroscientist at Tel Aviv University
Daniela Schiller (born 1972), known for work on memory reconsolidation
Hermona Soreq (born 1947), known for the signaling of acetylcholine and its relevance in stress responses and neurodegenerative diseases
Asya Rolls (2000s) is an Israeli psychoneuroimmunologist exploring how the nervous system affects immune responses and thus physical health.
Kalanit Grill-Spector is a neuroscientist professor investigating the visual system at Stanford University
Michal Schwartz is a professor of neuroimmunology at the Weizmann Institute of Science
Nilli Lavi is a psychologist and neuroscience professor at University College London
Tali Sharot is a cognitive neuroscientist at University College London
Michal Rivlin is a neuroscientist investigating the retina at the Weizmann Institute of Science

Italy

Maria Luisa Gorno-Tempini (fl. from 2001), neuroscientist focusing on behavioral neurology, particularly the neural substrate of language and memory
Rita Levi-Montalcini (1909–2012), Nobel laureate for her work in neurobiology
Raffaella Rumiati (fl. from 2003), cognitive neuroscientist
Maria Grazia Spillantini (fl. from 1987), researching the mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration
Camilla Bellone (born c. 1975) is an Italian neuroscientist exploring the molecular mechanisms and neural circuits underlying social behavior and probes how defects at the molecular and circuit level give rise to psychiatric disease states

Japan

Noriko Osumi (fl. from 1980s), specializing in neuroembryology and developmental neuroscience to reveal the scheme of human mind in terms of brain development

Kazakhstan

Alexandra Elbakyan (born 1988), known for creating the Sci-Hub

Lebanon

Huda Zoghbi (born 1954), Lebanese-American geneticist known for research in the Rett syndrome and spinocerebellar ataxia type 1

Lithuania

Urtė Neniškytė (born 1983), researching the interaction of neurons and immune cells in the brain

Mexico

Mónica Andrea López Hidalgo, researching astrocytes, cognitive function, and age-related changes

Netherlands

Astrid Linthorst (fl. from late 1990s), neuroscientist specializing in the neurochemistry and neuroendocrinology of stress and behavior
Sabine Spijker (fl. from late 1990s), neuroscientist researching the effect of neuropsychiatric ailments on cognition
Eveline Crone (born 1975), professor of cognitive neuroscience and developmental psychology, known for her work on the function of risky behaviours in pubertal adolescents

New Zealand

Marianne Fillenz (1924–2012), Romanian-born New Zealand neuroscientist known for research on he physiology of the autonomic nervous system
Jenny Morton (fl. from 1991), neurobiologist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases

Norway

Siri Leknes (fl. 2008), neuroscientist known for directing he Leknes Affective Brain Lab
May-Britt Moser (born 1963), psychologist, neuroscientist and Nobel laureate known for work on grid cells
Kristine Beate Walhovd (born 1976), psychologist and neuroscientist researching lifespan changes in brain and cognition

Pakistan

Aafia Siddiqui (born 1972), neuroscientist convicted of seven counts of attempted murder and assault of US personnel

Poland

Łucja Frey (1889–c.1942), neurologist known for describing the auriculotemporal nerve syndrome, now widely known as "Frey's syndrome"
Małgorzata Kossut (born 1950), neuroscientist specializing in neuroplasticity and neural mechanisms of learning and memory
Liliana Lubińska (1904–1990), neuroscientist known for her research on the peripheral nervous system and her discovery of bidirectional axoplasmic transport
Irena Nalepa (born 1951), neuroscientist, pharmacologist and biochemist
Nathalie Zand (c.1884–1942), neurologist known for studying the choroid plexus and publishing Les plexus choroïdes: Anatomie, physiologie, pathologie

Portugal

Hanna Damasio (fl. from 1960s), neuroscientist using brain imaging methods, such as computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance for investigating brain diseases
Paula Isabel da Silva Moreira (born 1975), neuroscientist known for discoveries concerning mitochondrial oxidation in Alzheimer's disease

Romania

Marianne Fillenz (1924–2012), known for investigating the physiology of the autonomic nervous system

Russia

Natalia Bekhtereva (1924–2008), neuroscientist and psychologist known for developing neurophysiological approaches to psychology
Svetlana Dambinova (born 1949), neuroscientists known for her research on glutamate receptors
Angelina Guskova (1924–2015), neurologist, neurosurgeon and radiation protection expert
Ol'ga Leonova (fl. 1890–1910), embryologist and physician known for work on congenital disorders and the connection between central nervous system damage and eye disease
Taisiya Sergeevna Osintseva (1923–2008), neurologist interested in chronic feral nidal infections of the nervous system
Tatiana Rosenthal (1885–1921), psychoanalyst, physician and specialist in neurology
Olga Vinogradova (1929–2001), cognitive neuroscientist

South Africa

Frances Ames (1920–2002), neurologist, psychiatrist, and human rights activist who studied the effects of cannabis on the brain

South Korea

Gloria Choi (2000s - ), neuroscientist studying maternal immune activation models of autism spectrum disorder

Spain

Susana Martinez-Conde (born 1969), neuroscientist and science writer investigating how our brains create perceptual and cognitive illusions
Carmen Sandi (fl. from late 1980s), research into the neurobiological mechanisms of how stress alters the brain

Sweden

Annica Dahlström (born 1941), neuroscientist with a research focus on how nerve cells store and transport signals
Isabelle Dussauge (fl. 2010s), cognitive neuroscientist who co.founded the NeuroGenderings Networl
Mouna Esmaeilzadeh (born 1980), Iranian-Swedish neuroscientist and entrepreneur known for her longevity clinic using genetic analyses as part of advanced health check-ups on her patients
Pam Fredman (born 1950), neuroscientist, president of the International Association of Universities

Switzerland

Silvia Arber (born 1968), neurobiologist investigating the mechanisms involved in the function and assembly of neuronal circuits controlling motor behaviour
Jocelyne Bloch (fl. from 2002), neuroscientist investigating deep brain stimulation and brain repair for movement disorders
Victoria Chan-Palay (born 1945), Singaporean-born Swiss neuroscientist, founder of the journal Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
Anelis Kaiser (fl. from 2008), neuroscientist exploring the influence of heteronormative notions of sexual orientation
Melanie Greter (fl. from 2000), neuroimmunologist studying the ontogeny of microglia and border-associated macrophages
Aude Billard (fl. 1971), physicist and computational neuroscientist creating machine learning algorithms to develop models of machine learning in humans

Turkey

Nilay Yapici (fl 2000s) is a neuroscientist at Cornell University who studies the neural circuits underlying decision making and feeding behavior in fruit fly models to pave the way towards an understanding of how to target and treat obesity and eating disorders in patients.

United Kingdom

Ingrid Allen (1932–2020), known for research into neurodegradation
Sarah-Jayne Blakemore (born 1974), research into the perception of causality in the human brain
Gemma Calvert (fl. from 1990s), researching multisensory brain systems and how the power of the subconscious brain affects marketing
Helen Cassaday (fl. from 1990s), neuroscientist investigating the underlying biology of associative learning processes
Nicola Clayton (born 1962), psychologist specializing in comparative cognition
Hannah Critchlow (born 1980), neuroscientist with a research focus on cellular and molecular neuroscience
Iroise Dumontheil (fl. from 2015), neuroscientist with a research focus on the social cognition and executive functions associated with the rostral prefrontal cortex
Wendy Ewart (fl. 2000s), responsible for the development of the Medical Research Council's strategic plan
Maria Fitzgerald (born 1953), neuroscientist studying the developmental physiology and neurobiology of nociceptor circuits in the brain and spinal cord
Sarah Garfinkel (fl. from 2006), neuroscientist studying the link between interoception and the brain
Alison Goate (fl. from 1980s), known for studying the genetics of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Usha Goswami (born 1960), neuroscientist investigating the neural basis of developmental dyslexia, of speech and language impairments, and of rhythmic motor behaviour
Susan Greenfield, Baroness Greenfield (born 1950), scientist, writer and broadcaster with a research focus on he treatment of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases
Francesca Happé (born 1967), cognitive neuroscientist investigating autism spectrum conditions
Julie M. Harris (born 1967), psychologist who studies binocular vision, vision and animal patterning
Christine Holt (born 1954), developmental neuroscientist investigating the basic mechanisms of the vertebrate brain
Eve Johnstone (born 1944), Scottish physician, clinical researcher, psychiatrist and academic investigating schizophrenia and psychotic illness
Annette Karmiloff-Smith (1938–2016), cognitive neuroscientist known for research into Williams syndrome
Tara Keck (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist investigating synaptic and homeostatic plasticity in the neocortex
Jennifer S. Lund (born 1940), anatomist focused on he organization of feedforward and feedback circuits in the neocortex
Giovanna Mallucci (fl. from 2000), neuroscientist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases
Ruth McKernan (fl. from 1980s), neuroscientist known for her work on ligand-gated ion channels as well as for services to business and innovation
Katharine Montagu (died 1966), first to identify dopamine in the human brain
Freda Newcombe (1925–2001), clinical neuropsychologist playing a pivotal role in the development of cognitive neuropsychology
Karalyn Patterson (born 1943), specialist in cognitive neuropsychology
Gina Rippon (born 1950), research involving the application of brain imaging techniques, particularly electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography
Katya Rubia (fl. from 1994), neuroscientist best known for her work in child cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychiatry
Barbara Sahakian (fl. 2000s), known for her contributions to psychopharmacology, neuroethics, neuropsychology, neuropsychiatry and neuroimaging
Sophie Scott (born 1966), neuroscientist investigating the cognitive neuroscience of voices, speech and laughter
Aditi Shankardass (fl. 2009), clinical work using electroencephalogram recordings of the brain to diagnose developmental disorders in children
Maria Grazia Spillantini (fl. from 1980s), neuroscientist noted for identifying the protein alpha-synuclein as the major component of Lewy bodies
Tara Spires-Jones (born 1976), neuroscientists studying synapse degeneration and resilience in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases
Susan Standring (fl. from 1970s), experimental neurobiologist, writer and researcher
Karen Steel (fl. from 1990s), geneticist studying the genetics behind deafness, mainly focusing on the genetics of mice
Sarah Tabrizi (born 1965), British-Iranian neurologist and neuroscientist in the field of neurodegeneration
Kathleen Taylor (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist with a focus on physiology, psychology and the neuroscience of belief
Irene Tracey (born 1966), research focused on the neuroscience of pain perception and analgesia
Anne Treisman (1935–2018), cognitive psychologist researching visual attention, object perception, and memory
Angela Vincent (born 1942), known for research in the areas of molecular biology, biochemistry, cellular immunology and intracellular neurophysiology
Elizabeth Warrington (born 1931), neuropsychologist specialised in the study of dementia
Heather Whalley (fl. 2010s), psychiatrist with a research focus on the mechanisms underlying the development of major psychiatric disorders
Emma Yhnell (fl. 2015), neuroscientists with a research focus on Huntington's disease

United States

A

Susan Ackerman (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist and geneticist known for investigating genetic and biochemical factors behind the central nervous system
Elizabeth Adkins-Regan (born 1945), comparative behavioural neuroendocrinologist known for research on the hormonal and neural mechanisms of reproductive behaviour
Huda Akil (born 1945), Syrian-American neuroscientist focusing on the neurobiology of emotions
Susan Amara (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist focusing on the parts of the brain activated by the effects of addictive drugs
Nancy Coover Andreasen (born 1938), neuroscientist and neuropsychiatrist known for developing the concept of negative symptoms in schizophrenia
Anne M. Andrews (fl. from 1990s), neuroscientist focused on the neurochemistry of the brain's serotonin system
Amy Arnsten (fl. from 1980s), neuroscientist focused on the molecular mechanisms behind the higher cortical circuits governing cognition
Ream Al-Hasani, British-born American neuroscientist and pharmacologist studying endogenous opioids in addiction, pain, and affective disorders

B

Kristin Baldwin (fl. from 1998), neuroecientist focusing on reprogrammed and induced pluripotent stem cells to study the epigenetic changes of the genome and brain
Tracy Bale (born 1969), neuroscientist and molecular biologist focusing on parental prenatal stress and its effect on offspring
Cornelia Bargmann (born 1962), neurobiologist known for her work on the genetic and neural circuit mechanisms of behavior using C. elegans
Carol A. Barnes (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist focusing on the neurophysiological and behavioral changes that occur in the brain during ageing
Lisa Feldman Barrett (born c. 1963), psychologist and neuroscientist studying emotion, known for How Emotions are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain
Susan R. Barry (fl. from 1981), neurobiologist and physician known for her Fixing My Gaze: A Scientist's Journey into Seeing in Three Dimensions
Danielle Bassett (born 1981), physicist and systems neuroscientist applying network science to the study of learning in the human brain
Amy Bastian (born 1968), neuroscientist contributing to the neuroscience of sensorimotor control
Diana Bautista (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist known for her work on the molecular mechanisms underlying itch, touch and pain
Elaine Bearer (fl. from 1990s), neuroscientist, pathologist and composer, recent research on magnetic resonance imaging of neural connections and brain activity in transgenic mouse models of human disorders
Marlene Behrmann (born 1959), psychologist specializing in the cognitive neuroscience of visual perception
Ursula Bellugi (born 1931), German-American neuroscientist researching the biological bases of language
April A. Benasich (fl. from 1980s), neuroscientist known for research on the early neural processes necessary for normal cognitive and language development
Joanne Berger-Sweeney (fl. from 1990s), neuroscientist researching the neurobiology of learning and memory, with applications to neurodevelopmental disorders
Heather A. Berlin (fl. 2000s) neuroscientist noted for her work in science communication and outreach
Mayim Bialik (born 1975), actress, author and neuroscientist
Eliza Bliss-Moreau (fl. from 2008), neuroscientist focusing on the biology of emotions in humans and animals
Brenda Bloodgood (fl. from 2000s), neuroscientist studying synaptic plasticity
Jill Bolte Taylor (born 1959), neuroanatomist, author, and inspirational public speaker, known for studying severe mental illnesses and her My Stroke of Insight, A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey
Susan Y. Bookheimer (fl. 2010s), neuroscientist known for her work developing brain imaging techniques to help patients with Alzheimer's and related disease
Nancy Bonini (born 1959), neuroscientist and geneticist, known for pioneering the use of Drosophila to study neurodegeneration of the human brain
Mary Brazier (1904–1995), British-born American neuroscientist known for her fundamental contributions to the study of EEG changes in anesthesia
Louann Brizendine (born 1952), neuroscientist researching women's moods and hormones
Katja Brose (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist known for identifying the receptor Robo and its ligand Slit as a new family of axon guidance molecule
Linda B. Buck (born 1947), Nobel laureate, best known for her work on the olfactory system
Mary Bartlett Bunge (born 1941), neuroscientist researching a cure for paralysis
Staci Bilbo (fl. 2000s), neuroimmunologist studying how early immune activation causes neuroimmune dysregulation contributing to brain-related disease in adulthood

C

Patricia Carpenter (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist focusing on the organization of the cognitive systems in immediate thought
C. Sue Carter (fl. from 1990s), biologist and behavioral neurobiologist specializing in behavioral neuroendocrinology
Vivien Casagrande (1942–2017), neuroscientist known for her research on understanding how the visual thalamus and cortex interact to construct our perceptual world
Constance Cepko (fl. from 1982), neuroscientist researching retroviral vectors in studying the development of the retina
Anne Churchland (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist studying the function of the posterior parietal cortex in cognitive processes
Patricia Churchland (born 1943), Canadian-American philosopher focusing on the interface between neuroscience and philosophy
Martha Constantine-Paton (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist focusing on synaptic plasticity and brain development, particularly visual development
Suzanne Corkin (1937–2016), neuroscientist best known for her research on human memory, which she studied in patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amnesia
Jacqueline Crawley (fl. from 1970s), neuroscientist known for developing tests including the three-compartment test to evaluate mouse social behaviour
Molly J. Crockett (fl. 2010s), neuroscientist studying the role of neurotransmitters on decision-making
Elizabeth C. Crosby (1888–1983), neuroanatomist known for her outstanding contributions to comparative and human neuroanatomy
Meaghan Creed (2000s), neuroscientists known for pioneering research into understanding and applying deep brain stimulation to treat brain related diseases
Jessica Cardin (2000s), neuroscientist studying local circuits within the primary visual cortex to understand how cellular and synaptic interactions flexibly adapt to different behavioral states and contexts to give rise to visual perceptions and drive motivated behaviors.
Merit Cudkowicz (2000s), is a Neurologist, Neuroscientist, and leading world expert in the study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

D

Mary Fenner Dallman (1935–2021), neuroendocrinologist known for elucidating function along the hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal axis
Hanna Damasio (fl. from 1970s), neuroscientist known for using brain imaging methods, such as computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance for diagnosing brain diseases
Muriel Davisson (fl. from 1970s), geneticist known for developing the Down syndrome mouse model Ts65Dn
Valina L. Dawson (born 1961), neuroscientist researching the molecular mechanisms that lead to neuronal cell death in neurodegenerative diseases
Adele Diamond (born 1952), co-founded the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience
Marian Diamond (1926–2017), pioneering scientist and educator considered to be one of the founders of modern neuroscience
Lindsay M. De Biase (fl 2000s), explores the diversity of microglia that exist within the basal ganglia circuitry to one day target regional or circuit-specific microglia in disease.
Zoe R. Donaldson (fl 2000s), American neuroscientist exploring the neurobiological and genetic mechanisms of social bonding and social behavior in rodents.

E

Gillian Einstein (born 1952), neuroscientist focusing on the anatomy of the female brain
Lise Eliot (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist known for her book on gender differences, Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Differences Grow into Troublesome Gaps and What We Can Do About It

F

Emily Falk (fl. from 2010), American communication neuroscientist studying behavior change and the spread of ideas, with a focus on linking neural activity to individual, group, and population behavior
Eva Feldman (fl. from 1979), neurologist contributing to various areas of research including the diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy and the application of stem cell therapy for treating human diseases such as Alzheimer's
Shelly Flagel (fl. 2000s), behavioral neuroscientist studying the individual differences in addiction and impulse control disorders, reward learning, and motivated behaviour neurobiology
Alice Weaver Flaherty (fl. 2000s), neurologist researching how human brains represent their bodies in relation to depression, Parkinson's, and somatoform disorders

G

Kathleen Gates (fl. 2000s) neuroscientist and quantitative psychologist developing statistical methods for the analysis of intensive longitudinal data
Lisa Genova (born 1970), neuroscientist and writer known for her novel Still Alive about a professor with Alzheimer's disease
Morton Ann Gernsbacher (fl. from 1980s), neuroscientist specializing in autism and psycholinguistics
Patricia Goldman-Rakic (1937–2003), first to discover and describe the circuitry of the prefrontal cortex and its relationship to working memory
Marjorie C. Gondré-Lewis (born 1968), neuroscientist investigating early life stress, drugs of abuse, and the neurogenetics of brain health disparities in underserved populations.
Lisa Goodrich (born 1969), neurobiologist specializing in the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the development of neural circuits
Elizabeth Gould (born 1962), neuroscientist focusing on adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus
Patricia A. Grady (fl. from 1990s), neuroscientist known for her books on hypertension, cerebrovascular permeability, vascular stress, and cerebral edema
Ann Graybiel (born 1942), neuroscientist specializing on the basal ganglia and the neurophysiology of habit formation
Carla Green (born 1962), neurobiologist and chronobiologist studying studies the molecular mechanism of circadian rhythms in mammals
Kalanit Grill-Spector (fl. 2000s) neuroscientist studying the structure and function of the human visual system with MRI
Lisa Gunaydin, neuroscientist who helped discover and specializes in optogenetic technology
Erin M. Gibson, is a glial and circadian biologist studying the molecular mechanisms by which the circadian rhythm modulates glial biology
Michelle Gray, is a leading neurobiologist in the study of the biological basis of Huntington's disease (HD), with a focus on neuron-glia interactions in HD.
Sandra M. Garraway, is an American neuroscientist who studies the neural mechanisms of spinal nociceptive pain after spinal cord injury

H

Melina Hale (fl. from 1998), neuroscientist studying zebrafish to understand how the brain communicates with muscles to generate movement
Kristen Harris (born 1954), neuroscientist studying the structure and function of synapses using 3D-electron microscopy
Mary Hatten (fl. from 1975), neuroscientist researching how neurons migrate in the brain
Kiralee Hayashi actress, stuntwoman, gymnast and scientist who co-authored Brain surface parameterization using Riemann surface structure
Rachel Sarah Herz (fl. from 1990s), psychologist and a cognitive neuroscientist known as an expert on the psychology of smell
Melissa Hines (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist studying the development of gender and how the interaction of prenatal and postnatal experience shapes brain development and behaviour
Susan Hockfield (born 1951), neuroscientist known for pioneering the use of monoclonal antibody technology in brain research
Julianne Holt-Lunstad (fl. 2010s), psychologist and neuroscientist focusing on the long-term health effects of social connections and loneliness
Yasmin Hurd (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist studying addiction in people and animal models including changes caused by cannabis

J

Dorothea Jameson (1920–1998), cognitive psychologist known for her contribution to the field of colour and vision
Lily Jan (born 1947), Chinese-American neuroscientist known for breakthroughs in neurogenesis and cell fate specification and for studying ion channels
Patricia Janak (born 1965), psychologist and neuroscientist contributing to the biological basis of behaviour in the context of associative learning
Charlene Drew Jarvis (born 1941), scientific researcher and politician
Amishi Jha (fl. from 1998), psychologist and neuroscientist showing how mindfulness training improves numerous aspects of both cognitive and emotional health
Theresa A. Jones (born 1964), neuroscientist focusing on neural plasticity across the lifespan synaptic connectivity in adult animals following brain damage during skill learning

K

Nancy Kanwisher (born 1958), cognitive neuroscientist known for discovering the fusiform face area and the arahippocampal place area
JacSue Kehoe (born 1935), neuroscientist studying the neurons of Aplysia californica and the post-synaptic nerve response
Ann E. Kelley (1954–2007), neuroscientist specialized in the neuroscience of reward and behavior
Mary B. Kennedy (born 1947), biochemist and neuroscientist focusing on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity
Catherine Kerr (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist investigating the effects of body-based attention practices such as Tai Chi and mindfulness on the brain and nervous system
Kristen Knutson (fl. 2000s), neurologist known for research into the mortality rates of evening and morning types
Nancy Kopell (born 1942), mathematician known from applying mathematical models to analyze the physiological mechanisms of brain dynamics
Nina Kraus (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist investigating the neural encoding of speech and music and its plasticity
Mary Jeanne Kreek (1937–2021), neurobiologist specializing in the study and treatment of addiction
Leah Krubitzer (fl. from 1980s), neuroscientist investigating how complex brains in mammals evolve from simpler forms
Patricia K. Kuhl (fl. from 1970s), neuroscientist investigating early language and brain development and how young children learn
Marta Kutas (born 1949) cognitive neuroscientist known for discovering the N400, an event-related potential component typically elicited by unexpected linguistic stimuli

L

Story Landis (fl. from 1970) neurobiologist and former director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health
Lynn T. Landmesser (born 1943), biological scientist known for developmental neuroscience research, particularly relating to the spinal cord and the formation of spinal motor circuits
Jerre Levy (born 1938), psychologist and neuroscientist studying the relationship between the cerebral hemispheres and visual-oriented versus language-oriented tasks
Christiane Linster (born 1962), Luxembourg-American behavioural neuroscientist known for research into neuromodulation relating to learning and memory
Judy Liu (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist working on cortical malformations causing epilepsy
Margaret Livingstone (born 1950), neurobiologist known for her book Vision and Art: The Biology of Seeing
Jeanne Loring (born 1950), development neurobiologist and geneticist studying several fields including the genomics and epigenetics of pluripotent stem cells
Victoria Luine (fl. 2000s), psychologist, neurochemist and writer

M

Misha Mahowald (1963–1996), computational neuroscientist working in the field of neuromorphic engineering
Eve Marder (fl. from 1970s), experimental and computational neuroscientist known for her work on neural circuits in the crustacean stomatogastric nervous system
Deborah Mash (born 1952), neurologist interested in the addiction-stopping capabilities of ibogaine
Mara Mather (fl. 2000s), psychologist researching ageing with a focus on the effect of emotion and stress on memory
Helen S. Mayberg (born 1956), neurologist known for delineating abnormal brain function in patients with major depression using functional neuroimaging
Susan McConnell (fl. from late 1980s), neurobiologist studying the development of neural circuits in the mammalian cerebral cortex
Louise McCullough (fl. 2000s), neurologist engaged in stroke research
Ann McKee (born 1953), neuropathologist and expert in neurodegenerative disease
Edith Graef McGeer (born 1923), neuroscientist known for studying the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases
BethAnn McLaughlin (born 1968), neurologist researching neural stress responses and brain injury
Sara Mednick (fl. 2000s), psychologist researching the relationship between napping and performance
Vivienne Ming (fl. 2000s), theoretical neuroscientist and Artificial Intelligence expert
Nancy Minshew (fl. 2000s), psychiatrist and neurologist known for work on the cognitive, neurological, and genetic bases of autism
Michelle Monje (fl. 2000s), neurologist investigating the molecular mechanisms for neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity
Lisa Monteggia (fl. 2000s), neuroscientists investigating molecular mechanisms underlying neurotrophin interactions with antidepressants
Bita Moghaddam (fl, 2000s), Iranian-American neuroscientist investigating the neuronal processes underlying emotion and cognition as a first step to designing strategies to treat and prevent brain illnesses
Lisa Mosconi, Italian American neuroscientist looking at the connections between perimenopause and Alzheimer's disease

N

Elly Nedivi (fl. 1990s), neuroscientist known for investigating the molecular mechanisms of neuroplasticity
Helen Neville (1946–2018), neuroscientist known for investigating human brain development, including neuroplasticity and neurolinguistics
Sharlene Newman, cognitive neuroscientists known for her work in neuroimaging, using magnetic resonance imaging techniques to study complex brain function
Mary Lawson Neff (1862–1945), neurologist remembered for investigating the effects of fatigue on mental and emotional health
Sheila Nirenberg (fl. 2010s) neuroscientist working on neural coding and the development of prosthetic devices able to communicate directly with the brain

O

Loraine Obler (fl. 2010s), neuroscientist
Kathie L. Olsen (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist noted for her work in scientific policy

P

Audrey S. Penn (born 1934), neurologist known for research in the biochemistry of muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis
Susan Perlman (born c.1949), neurologist and neurogeneticist investigating Friedreich's ataxia
Candace Pert (1946–2013), neuroscientist and pharmacologist known for discovering the opiate receptor, the cellular binding site for endorphins in the brain
Laura-Ann Petitto (born c. 1954), cognitive neuroscientist known for her neurolinguistics research, including work on the language capacity of chimpanzees
Marina Picciotto (born 1963), neuroscientist known for her work on the role of nicotine in addiction, memory, and reward behaviours
Nicole Prause (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist researching human sexual behaviour, addiction, and the physiology of sexual response
Caroline Palavicino-Maggio (fl 2000s) neuroscientist exploring how gene expression in amine neurons and neural circuits leads to changes in social behavior, specifically aggression, in Drosophila.
Gina Poe (fl 2000s) neuroscientist studying sleep and how neural activity during REM sleep is crucial to memory and learning.

R

Priya Rajasethupathy (fl. 2000e), neuroscientist researching memory development over time by observing and manipulating neural circuitry.
Isabelle Rapin (1927–2017), Swiss-American neurologist and paediatrician remembered for her contributions to the understanding of autism and language disorders.
Judith L. Rapoport (fl. from 1960s), psychiatrist known for studying the clinical phenomenology, neurobiology, and treatment of Childhood Onset Schizophrenia.
Brenda Rapp neuroscientist and editor of Cognitive Neuropsychology, known for research into written word production and dysgraphia.
Lorna Role (b. 1953) neurophysiologist studying the role of cholinergic circuits and signaling in memory from development to aging.
Kaitlyn Rarick (born in 2000) neuroscientist and creator of Brainsplain, a podcast created for exploring the potential of the brain and nervous system.
Linda Restifo (fl. from 1980s), neuroscientist studying the changes in brain development leading to cognitive disorders.
Barbara Rothbaum (fl. from 1990s), psychologist and pioneer in the treatment of anxiety-related disorders.
Vanessa Ruta (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist known for investigating chemosensory circuits behind innate and learned behaviours in the fly Drosophila melanogaster.
Carolyn I. Rodriguez (fl 2000s), neuroscientist and psychiatrist developing rapid therapies for OCD and hoarding disorder.

S

Eleanor Saffran (1939–2002), neuroscientist known as a researcher in the field of cognitive neuropsychology
Cara Santa Maria (born 1983), science communicator and psychologist
Rebecca Saxe (fl. 2000s), cognitive neuroscientist working on theory of mind, the plasticity of the cortex and the neural substrates of empathy, and emotion attribution
Amita Sehgal (fl. from 1990s), cell and molecular neuroscientist working on circadian rhythms and sleep
Dorothy P. Schafer (fl. 2000s), neurobiologist focusing on the role of microglia in the development of synapses and brain circuits
Carla J. Shatz (born 1947), one of the pioneers who determined some of the basic principles of early brain development
Erin M. Schuman (born 1963), neurobiologist studying neuronal synapses
Rosalind A. Segal (born 1958), neurobiologist studying the how disruption of the mammalian brain leads to the formation of brain malignancies
Carla J. Shatz (born 1947), early female neurobiologist who determined some of the basic principles of brain development
Pamela Sklar (1959–2017), psychiatrist and neuroscientist known for large-scale gene discovery studies in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Esther Somerfeld-Ziskind (1901–2002), neurologist and psychiatrist known for pioneering research into the use of insulin, lithium, and electroconvulsive therapy for treating psychiatric disorders
Tara Spires-Jones (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist focusing on the degeneration of synapse connections between neuronal braincells in Alzheimer's disease
Beth Stevens (born 1970), neuroscientist known for work on the role of microglia and complement proteins in the removal of synaptic cells during brain development
Wendy Suzuki (fl. from 1990s), neuroscientist researching neuroplasticity and how the brain is able to change and adapt over the course of a person's life
Susan Swedo neuroscientist conducting research on the causes and treatment of pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders
Anne Schaefer (fl 2000), neuroscientist and neuroimmunologist who investigates the epigenetic mechanisms of cellular plasticity and their role in the regulation of microglia-neuron interactions.
Carsen Stringer (fl 2000), computational neuroscientist and Group Leader at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Janelia Research Campus. Stringer uses machine learning and deep neural networks to visualize large scale neural recordings and then probe the neural computations that give rise to visual processing in mice.

T

Viviane Tabar (fl. 2000s), neurosurgeon researching stem cell biology and strategies for cell-based therapies for the repair of radiation-induced brain injury
Paula Tallal (born 1947), neuroscientist researching dyslexia and other word encoding disorders
Carol Tamminga (fl. 2000s), psychiatrist and neuroscientist focusing on treating psychotic illnesses, such as schizophrenia, psychotic bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder
Jill Bolte Taylor (born 1959), neuroanatomist who wrote My Stroke of Insight
Sally Temple (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist focusing on neural stem cells and therapies related to eye, brain, and spinal cord disorders
Sujata Tewari (1938–2000), Indian-American neuroscientist known for her work demonstrating that chronic alcohol consumption inhibits protein metabolism in the brains of mice
Lin Tian(born 1978), biochemist and neuroscientist focusing on molecular tool development and application for probing neurochemistry
Doris Tsao (fl. 2000s), systems neuroscientist known for pioneering fMRI with single-unit electrophysiological recordings and for discovering the macaque face patch system for face perception
Gina G. Turrigiano (fl. from 1990s), neuroscientist researching cortical networks and stromograstic network function
Kay Tye (born c. 1981), neuroscientist focusing on optogenetics for identifying connections in the brain involved in innate emotion, motivation and social behaviours
Malú G. Tansey is a neuroscientist investigating the role of neuroimmune interactions in the development and progression of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease.

U

Lucina Uddin (fl. from 2000s), cognitive neuroscientist researching the relationship between brain connectivity and cognition in typical and atypical development using network neuroscience approaches.
Leslie Ungerleider (born 1946), experimental psychologist and neuroscientist known for introducing the concepts of the dorsal and ventral streams

V

Ashley Van Zeeland (born 1982), neuroscientist focusing on genomics, genetics, and biotechnology in the fields of autism and anorexia nervosa
Joan Venes (1935–2010) neurosurgeon known for helping to develop the practice of neurosurgery in children
Nora Volkow (born 1956), Mexican-American psychiatrist and neuroscientist conducting imaging studies of the brains of people addicted to drugs
Leslie B. Vosshall (born 1965), neurobiologist known for contributions to olfaction, particularly the discovery and characterization of the insect olfactory receptor family

W

Joni Wallis (fl. from 1990s), neurophysiologist investigating how the frontal cortex of the brain is functionally organized to help people set and attain goals at the level of single neurons
Jade Wang (born 1983), computer programmer and neuroscientist known as co-founder of the open source project Sandstorm
Heather Williams (born 1955), ornithologist known for her book Behavioral neurobiology of birdsong
Rachel Wilson (fl. 2000s), neurobiologist working in the fields of electrophysiology, neuropharmacology, molecular genetics and functional anatomy
Catherine Woolley (born 1965), neuroendocrinologist studying cellular and molecular neuroscience in relation to the brain and behaviour
Sarah M. N. Woolley (fl. 2000s), neuroscientist studying the neuroscience of communication, using songbirds to understand how the brain learns and understands vocal communication
Ilana B. Witten (fl. 2000s) studies the midbrain dopaminergic reward circuitry, with a focus on the striatal neural circuit mechanisms driving reward learning and decision making.

Y

Anne B. Young (fl. from 1970s) physician and neuroscientist working on neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease

Z

Phyllis Zee (fl. 2000s), neurologist researching basic and translational sleep and circadian rhythm
Huda Zoghbi (born 1954), Lebanese-born American geneticist currently studying MECP2 and discovering that overexpressing the protein in mice led to an autism-like neurological disorder

References