Abigail Person, Ph.D.

Dr. Person’s research focuses on understanding cerebellar computations in motor control at the synaptic, circuit, and systems levels and how they support smooth, precise movement. This project will focus on the motor behavior of target reaching, during which the limb slows down as it approaches the target to make an accurate touch. It seeks to test the idea that the cerebellar nuclei's inhibitory output plays a causal role in regulating accuracy by feeding back on the inferior olive structure (a major driver of cerebellar motor learning). The project seeks to illuminate a key pathway of the cerebellum and provide fundamental knowledge of ataxia, a condition characterized by problems muscle movement and coordination.