Larry Abbott
Laurence Frederick Abbott | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1950 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Oberlin College, Brandeis University |
| Occupation(s) | Theoretical neuroscientist, professor |
| Employer | Columbia University |
| Known for | Founding the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience at Columbia University; coauthoring the first comprehensive textbook on theoretical neuroscience; developing the dynamic clamp technique |
| Awards | Swartz Prize for Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience (2010), Gruber Neuroscience Prize (2022), The Brain Prize (2024) |
Laurence Frederick Abbott (b. 1950) is an American expert in theoretical neuroscience, currently holding the William Bloor Professorship in Theoretical Neuroscience at Columbia University, where he played a key role in founding the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience. Widely acknowledged as a pioneering figure in theoretical neuroscience, he coauthored, alongside Peter Dayan, the inaugural comprehensive textbook on the discipline, which remains a fundamental resource for both students and professionals. Abbott also collaborated with Eve Marder to develop the dynamic clamp technique.
His scientific achievements have been recognized with multiple prestigious distinctions, including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Among his accolades are the Swartz Prize for Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience awarded in 2010, the Gruber Neuroscience Prize in 2022, and The Brain Prize in 2024, which he received jointly with Terrence Sejnowski and Haim Sompolinsky.
Biography
Abbott pursued undergraduate studies in physics at Oberlin College from 1968 until 1971, earning his bachelor's degree. He then completed his doctoral studies in physics at Brandeis University between 1973 and 1977.
Scientific career
Initially focused on theoretical particle physics, Abbott served as a research associate at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center from 1977 to 1979 and as a Scientific Associate at CERN during 1980–1981. He held a tenure-track professorship at Brandeis University from 1979 until 2005. Shifting his focus towards neuroscience starting in 1989, he joined Brandeis' Department of Biology in 1993. There, he undertook leadership roles such as co-director of the Sloan Center for Theoretical Neurobiology (1994–2002) and director of the Volen National Center for Complex Systems (1997–2002). His academic titles included Nancy Lurie Marks Professor of Neuroscience (1997–2002) and Zalman Abraham Kekst Professor (2003–2005). In 2005, Abbott became faculty at Columbia University, contributing to the departments of Neuroscience and Physiology as well as Cellular Biophysics, while also co-leading the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience. Since 2015, he has held a senior fellowship at HHMI’s Janelia Farm Research Campus.
Select publications
Awards, honors, and memberships
- The Brain Prize (2024)
- Gruber Neuroscience Prize (2022)
- National Institutes of Health Director's Pioneer Award
- Swartz Prize
- Mathematical Neuroscience Prize from Israel Brain Technologies
- First Annual Prize in Mathematical Neuroscience
- Mentor of the Year Award from the Irving Institute
- Member of the National Academy of Sciences
- Affiliated with the Kavli Institute for Brain Science
- Member of Columbia University's Motor Neuron Center
- Senior Fellow at HHMI’s Janelia Farm Research Campus
- Inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Steering Committee member at the Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Hebrew University
- Scientific Advisory Panel participant at the Gatsby Unit, UCL
- Advisory Council member for Princeton University's Physics Department
- Selection Committee member for scholars at the McKnight Foundation
- Advisory Council member for Mindscope at the Allen Institute for Brain Science
- Scientific Advisory Board member for the Champalimaud Neuroscience Program
- Member of MIT's Brain and Cognitive Sciences Visiting Committee
- Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee member at the Weizmann Institute
- Executive Committee participant in the Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain