Brain-Body Center Researchers
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Center Director
![Polina Anikeeva](https://yangtan.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/researcherlandingpage-polina_570x570-310x310-c-default.jpg)
Polina Anikeeva is developing new tools to examine the gut-brain connection and how gastrointestinal dysfunction can arise in ASDs, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and anxiety.
Center Faculty
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Aristide Gumyusenge, Merton C. Flemings Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, is designing soft biocompatible polymers and electrochemical transistors for real-time sensing and feedback-control of biological signals.
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Alan Jasanoff is addressing higher-level aspects of interoception by applying a novel battery of
imaging approaches to map neurochemical signaling dynamics in the gut.
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Fan Wang is developing novel tools and imaging methods to study autonomic responses and sympathetic-parasympathetic system balance, including how pain influences these interactions. She is also advancing techniques for documenting changes in brain and peripheral tissues induced by acupuncture.
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Feng Zhang is pioneering molecular techniques to restore the equilibrium within cells affected by injury, degeneration, and other disease processes.
Fellows
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Annesya Banerjee
Graduate Fellow, McDermott Lab
Annesya Banerjee develops computational models of cochlear implant-mediated hearing perception with the long-term goal of guiding the development of improved stimulation strategies for cochlear implants.
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Itay Fayer
Graduate Fellow, Jasanoff Lab
Itay Fayer’s research explores brain-body interactions in vivo using MRI-based methods.
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Sreeparna Pradhan
Postdoctoral Fellow, Flavell Lab
Sreeparna Pradhan studies the role of neuropeptides in gut-brain communication, and their effects on animal behavior and physiology.
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Jillianne Wisnewski
Graduate Fellow, Moura Silva Lab
Jillianne (Jill) Wisnewski examines how macrophages bridge communication between the brain and adipose tissue in order to control systemic metabolism.