Mercer Times

John Ngai, director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s BRAIN Initiative, and U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman visited Princeton Neuroscience Institute (PNI) researchers in May to discuss recent advances in understanding the brain's fundamental workings.

Ngai and Watson Coleman toured several research sites, including fMRI labs where artificial intelligence models are used to study perception and communication within the human brain. Researchers also demonstrated real-time neural imaging in fruit flies, which has implications for understanding human decision-making, as well as projects focused on reward learning and brain function.

The visitors met with PNI’s leading faculty researchers, including PNI Director Mala Murthy, Jonathan Cohen, David Tank, Sebastian Seung, and Bradley Dickerson. Discussions included the role of artificial intelligence in processing large volumes of data generated by new imaging technology. “Among the outstanding work that’s being done at Princeton are the BRAIN Initiative-funded projects focusing on the interface between theory, data science, computer science and artificial intelligence,” said Ngai.

Murthy emphasized the importance of the BRAIN Initiative for groundbreaking discoveries at Princeton over the past decade. New projects aim to map brain circuitry to understand thoughts, perceptions, actions, and potential disease-causing defects.

During their visit on May 30—non-campaign related—Ngai and Watson Coleman also observed Princeton's advanced multibeam scanning electron microscope (mSEM), one of three globally integrated with ion milling systems (IBEAM). Tank discussed his sabbatical project to image a mouse brain's neural wiring diagram over four years using this instrument.

Ngai highlighted Princeton scientists' fundamental research into building a comprehensive understanding of the brain through revolutionary instruments enabling new discoveries. “If you look at progress in science and medicine, we make these big discoveries and then hit a wall because we don’t have the tools to proceed,” he stated.

Addressing neural diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia remains challenging due to insufficient understanding of brain mechanisms. Ngai expressed optimism about funding projects at institutions like Princeton that develop tools essential for future cures.

Watson Coleman underscored her commitment as an appropriations committee member prioritizing health funding: “It's so important to understand all functions of the brain so that someday we can cure diseases instead of just treating symptoms.”

Ngai previously taught neuroscience for 27 years at UC Berkeley before leading NIH's BRAIN Initiative since May 2020. Watson Coleman has represented her area since 1998 in various capacities before joining Congress in 2015.

Photo by Matthew Raspanti from Princeton University Office of Communications shows John Ngai talking with U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman as Mala Murthy looks on.

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