The rockefeller university

2020–2021 Pilot Grant Recipients ($25,000 each)

Click here to see a list of previous grant recipients

Precision Instrumentation Technologies
Sponsored by the Kavli NSI
The Precision Instrumentation Technologies (PIT) Resource Center at Rockefeller University is an engineering facility with cutting-edge equipment staffed with engineers who enable high-end modern instrument design and fabrication for scientists with a diversity of research interests at a low-cost barrier of entry. A unique feature of PIT is that scientists can discuss their scientific problems and needs in a collaborative and interactive manner with PIT staff free of cost and jointly arrive on solutions before the fabrication process.PIT provides end-to-end engineering solutions and fabrication capabilities from conceptualization to application to all laboratories on campus. By consolidating and investing in new machinery and recruiting a team with diverse engineering capabilities, PIT was established in February 2018 in newly renovated space in the Plaza Building A level, Room A4. In addition to various fabrication and rapid prototyping tools, PIT features a state-of-the-art 5-axis Hermle C22 CNC mill, which enables prototyping of highly complex mechanical designs with tight tolerances. Since its establishment, PIT’s capacity to enable modern fabrication has had a profound impact on the science performed in a large number of laboratories on campus.

Rockefeller Brain Observatory
Created and sponsored by The Kavli NSI
Established in 2022, the core mission of the Rockefeller Brain Observatory (RBO) is to enable a new range of neurobiological discoveries by facilitating the transition of advanced, commercially unavailable optical neurotechnologies from proof-of-principle to user-defined, neurobiological problems within one center on campus. This will be achieved by offering a portfolio of advanced brain imaging tools and generating and maintaining a critical mass of long-term optical and computational expertise that would ensure continued innovation, user applications, and management of knowledge. In its initial phase, years 1-3, the RBO will offer two technologies – light beads microscopy (LBM) and optimized three-photon imaging – which together offer the versatility to cover a broad and diverse set of user needs from primate to non-invertebrate and non-neuronal imaging applications across different species, spatio-temporal resolution and scale at which neuronal population activity can be recorded. Click here for a description of applications and technical parameters of LBM and optimized three-photon imaging. Interfacing with existing university resource centers, the RBO will also provide consultation and advice to labs on purchasing non-standard microscopy solutions and customization, advice on establishing computational pipelines and data management, and help organize graduate level practical courses.

Kavli Fellowship Recipients

Philipp Brand, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior
Kavli Postdoctoral Fellow, 2023-2025

Likui Feng, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behavior
Kavli Postdoctoral Fellow, 2023-2025

Pyonghwa Kim, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Genetics
Kavli Postdoctoral Fellow, 2024-2026

Simin Liu
Graduate Fellow, Laboratory of Developmental Genetics
Kavli Graduate Fellow, 2024-2026

Rani Shiao
Graduate Fellow, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics
Kavli Graduate Fellow, 2023-2025

Stephen Thornquist, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Integrative Brain Function
Kavli Postdoctoral Fellow, 2024-2026

Mackenzie Yedlin
Graduate Fellow, Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior
Kavli Graduate Fellow, 2024-2026

Click here to see a list of previous fellows

Monthly Kavli NSI Meeting
Hosted by the Kavli Fellows
The Kavli Fellows host monthly meetings for trainees in Kavli NSI member laboratories. The format of the meeting is variable month-by-month and may include chalk talks or short presentations from 2-3 trainees on a given topic in neuroscience, NeuroData meetup, Quantitative Neuroscience Journal Club, Head of Laboratory chalk talks, and/or job talks by postdoctoral fellows. Although the agenda is flexible each month, the meetings will be planned and promoted in advance with the dual goal of promoting neuroscience on campus and increasing communication between labs. Participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback, which will be used by the organizers in structuring subsequent meetings. Please visit the Events page to see a list of upcoming dates.

Sponsorship of Inter-lab Journal Clubs and Meetings
Sponsorship opportunities are also available through the Kavli Fellows Initiative Fund to anyone interested in forming a new inter-lab, neuro-related journal club or group meeting. Clubs/meetings must be jointly organized by members of at least two different Kavli NSI member labs and attendance would be open to members from other Kavli NSI labs. A list of current journal clubs and joint meetings in existence at Rockefeller are posted here. Please contact the Kavli Fellows at kavlifellows@rockefeller.edu to learn more.