We are looking forward to welcoming Professor Jackie Schiller to DPAG on 5 March, when she will deliver the 2025 Mabel Fitzgerald Prize lecture, speaking about dendrites in motor control and learning. Professor Schiller’s work in the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. She is head of the Department of Neuroscience and head of the Allen and Jewel Prince Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Brain. She seeks to understand the brain’s largest and most complex structure, the cerebral cortex, and its links to Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, autism, and more. Ahead of the lecture we spoke to Professor Schiller about her career.
The first question we asked Professor Schiller was ‘What first inspired you to become a scientist, and how did you come to choose and specialise in your area of research?’ She said, I was always fascinated by the complexities of the human brain—how it can generate thoughts, memories, and behaviours. Already as a child, I was curious about how we perceive the world and make decisions, and this curiosity evolved into a passion for neuroscience.
My post-doctoral studies had a profound influence on my research trajectory. It was during this time that I became fascinated by cortical computations and the emerging field of dendritic computations. A pivotal moment came when I first observed dendritic spiking, which hinted at a layer of neural computation in the cortex previously unrecognized.
This field is incredibly rewarding because it allows exploration at multiple levels—from individual cells and their dendrites to systems-level behaviour and learning.
Over the years, my research has expanded from studying molecular and cellular mechanisms to addressing how these processes contribute to behaviour and motor learning. I find this work both humbling and endlessly fascinating, as each discovery opens new doors to understanding the brain.'
We asked Professor Schiller in what ways she has observed the real-world impact of her scientific research. She said, ‘over the years, my research has focused on fundamental questions about the human brain and mind—specifically, how the brain computes, learns, and stores information.
My lab investigates these processes in the motor cortex, the region responsible for generating movements and learning new skills, and we examine them with a high degree of resolution, down to the level of single neurons and their parts, the dendrites.
I expect that insights from our studies will influence fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and neural network modeling. For example, the discovery of NMDA-spikes has reshaped our understanding of how the cortical neurons encode and stores information, inspiring the development of more biologically informed computational models and neural networks. I also expect our work will inspire the AI community to add sophisticated “dendrite-like” features to their artificial “neurons” and by that possibly increase the efficacy of ANN and help address challenges to some such as catastrophic forgetting.
Our research on motor cortex dynamics and network reorganization during motor skill learning also holds potential for clinical applications. By understanding how the healthy brain learns and adapts, we can better comprehend the pathophysiology of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, which in turn is expected to inform the development of new neuromodulation paradigms. For example, we recently found that one of the biggest problem in experimental Parkinson’s disease is reduced dendritic amplification in cortical pyramidal neurons, which in turn attenuates motor commands.'
We asked Professor Schiller about what direction she thinks her research might develop over the next few years. She answered, ‘Looking ahead, I envision my research delving deeper into understanding the role of dendritic computations in learning and memory in vivo. We are only beginning to uncover the complexities of these processes, and I am confident they will remain a rich area of inquiry for years to come.
These are exciting times, as new technologies and methodologies continually emerge, allowing us to study the brain at unprecedented levels of resolution like never before.
On the clinical side, I aim to explore the translational potential of our findings. We are using our insights to guide us toward developing novel cell-type and pathway-specific opto-DBS (optical deep brain stimulation) to markedly increase the efficacy and specificity of treatments for movements disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.’
Finally, we asked Professor Schiller if there is any advice she would give to an early career research scientist. She said, ‘As a woman scientist, I understand the unique challenges women face in navigating a demanding research career while managing personal aspirations, including family life. My advice to young scientists, is you don’t have to choose between a successful career and a fulfilling family life—both are possible. There will be times when family demands more of your time, and other times when your career takes precedence. It’s not about achieving perfect balance at every moment but about navigating priorities dynamically.
To a younger me, I’d say: Trust the process. Each step you take, even the missteps, will teach you something invaluable. And don’t forget to enjoy the journey—science is as much about discovery as it is about the people and moments along the way. And most importantly, don’t give up on family or life both are important and possible.'