Atsushi Iriki

Atsushi Iriki, PhD

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Regular Research Professor Teikyo University

Tokyo, Japan




Bio

I received my Ph.D. in Neurophysiology from Tokyo Medical and Dental University in 1986. I held research associate positions at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University and then at the Rockefeller University. I joined the faculty of Toho University Medical School as an assistant professor and the as an associate professor in Physiology (1991-1999). In 1999, I returned to Tokyo Medical and Dental University as a full professor in Cognitive Neurobiology. I am now a Head of Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development at RIKEN Brain Science Institute since 2004.I am an adjunct professor of Tokyo Medical and Dental University, The University of Tokyo, Keio University, and a visiting senior fellow of University College London. Based on behavioral and neurophysiological analyses on chronic macaque monkeys, which were trained to use tools and other high-tech apparatus, I try to uncover evolutionary precursors of human higher cognitive functions grounded onto physical morphologies and patterns of structured bodily actions. We extrapolate these mechanisms to constitute bases of communicatory functions by sharing above machineries among individuals, and eventually understand neural mechanism of social behaviours. Further, he is aiming at extending these mechanisms onto evolutionary as well as developmental clues of symbolic cognitive functions to subserve inference, metaphysical thoughts etc. that characterise human intelligence.
Neuroscience Sub-Discipline
Cognitive Neuroscience
Evolutionary and Comparative Neuroscience
Motor Systems Neuroscience
Sensory Systems Neuroscience
Techniques
Analysis of Behavior and Cognition in Humans
Analysis of Behavior and Cognition in Non-human Animals
Computation, Modeling, and Simulation
Electrophysiology (unit activity)
Imaging (PET, fMRI, etc)
Research Areas
Integrative Physiology and Behavior
Motor Systems
Sensory Systems

SfN Service History

CommitteeTitleMember Status
Program CommitteeMemberPast
Nominating CommitteeMemberPast
Nemko Prize Selection CommitteeChairpersonPast
International Affairs CommitteeMemberPast
Committee on CommitteesMemberPast