Rick Jenison

Professor Rick Jenison is a distinguished Professor Emeritus at the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With a profound interest in the biology of brain and behavior, his work has significantly contributed to the fields of cognition, cognitive neuroscience, and perception. His research is primarily centered on computational neuroscience, where he delves into the intricacies of decision-making processes and the functional and effective connectivity within the human brain. Professor Jenison's expertise extends to the modeling of neural ensembles, providing insights into how these networks operate and influence cognitive functions. His work on computational models of the basal ganglia and amygdala has been instrumental in understanding their roles in various cognitive processes. Through his research, he has explored the neural correlates of auditory spatial attention allocation, offering a deeper understanding of how attention is directed and maintained in complex auditory environments. In addition to his work on attention, Professor Jenison has investigated decision-making under the influence of substances like methylphenidate, shedding light on how such substances can alter cognitive processes and decision-making capabilities. His studies have also examined the directional influence between the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex during decision-making, providing valuable insights into the neural pathways involved in evaluating and making choices. Throughout his career, Professor Jenison has published numerous studies that have advanced the understanding of cognitive neuroscience. His contributions have not only enriched academic discourse but have also paved the way for future research in understanding the complex interactions within the brain that underpin cognition and behavior. His work continues to inspire and guide new generations of researchers in the field of psychology and neuroscience.