Research Affiliate
Matt Kearney
Matt is a psychiatry resident in the MGH/McLean psychiatry training program. At MGH/McLean, he is a member of the Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) research track and joined the Halassa lab as a research affiliate in 2020.
Matt completed his MD and PhD in neurobiology at Duke University where he investigated mechanisms of vocal learning in songbirds in the laboratory of Richard Mooney. His thesis work explored neural circuit mechanisms underlying vocal performance evaluation in songbirds and delineated discrete roles for inputs to midbrain dopaminergic circuitry in shaping song evaluation and enabling vocal learning. In the Halassa lab, he is excited to explore neural circuit mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility. He is especially interested in the role of neuromodulation, particularly dopaminergic signaling, in shaping thalamic-PFC interactions and regulating cognitive flexibility. Ultimately, he hopes that elucidating such mechanisms will both provide novel insights into fundamental neural processes and enable more precise therapeutic targeting of these circuits to restore cognitive flexibility in those that suffer from serious mental illness.
In his free time Matt enjoys hiking, basketball, and reading.
Address
Fralin Biomedical Research Inst. at VTC
2 Riverside Circle
Roanoke, VA 24016
Accessibility
Virginia Tech is committed to making physical and online resources available to everyone.
You Are Welcome Here
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
