Abstract
Marder studies the dynamics of small neuronal networks, and her work was instrumental in demonstrating that neuronal circuits are not " hard-wired " but can be reconfigured by neuromodulatory neurons and substances to produce a variety of outputs. For the past 25 years, Marder's lab has combined experimental work with insights from modeling and theoretical studies. Together with Larry Abbott, her lab developed the programmable dynamic clamp, now used widely in laboratories around the world. Her lab pioneered studies of homeostatic regulation of intrinsic membrane properties, and stimulated work on the mechanisms by which brains remain stable while allowing for change during development and learning. Marder is now studying the extent to which similar network performance can arise from different sets of underlying network parameters, opening up rigorous studies of the variations in the individual brains of normal healthy animals.