Andy Ramirez

andyer@uci.edu

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

In the McNaughton lab, we are interested in understanding the neural mechanism of “memory replay”. Memory replay is the reactivation of neural circuits that were active during a learning event and occurs during sleep. This process is believed to play a significant role in learning, and the hippocampus is believed to have a major role regulating the mechanism of memory replay. Overall, the lab is interested in elucidating the specific events that occur in the brain during sleep which helps us consolidate and strengthen new memories.

My role in the McNaughton lab has primarily been analyzing neuronal recording data obtained through a process called spike sorting. This involves distinguishing the activity of individual neurons from a cluster of neurons and any background electrical noise through the analysis of waveform shapes and specific neuronal firing patterns. I have also been involved in building stimulating electrodes that can be implanted in the brain to stimulate groups of neurons as well as assisting with training the animals on memory tasks.

Andy Ramirez 1

Figure: Example of 9 spike-sorted clusters on a single tetrode. Each cluster represents spikes from one cell.