Renowned Cognitive Neuroscientist John Jonides Honored at University of Michigan
The University of Michigan has named John Jonides, a trailblazer in cognitive neuroscience, as the Henry Russel Lecturer for the year 2027. This prestigious appointment was revealed during the Board of Regents meeting on June 25, with Jonides scheduled to deliver his lecture in the winter term of that year.
The Henry Russel Lectureship is regarded as the university’s highest accolade for senior faculty members, recognizing outstanding accomplishments in research, scholarship, creative endeavors, and contributions to teaching and mentorship at the institution and beyond.
In addition, four faculty members were recognized with the Henry Russel Awards for early to mid-career achievements:
- Mania Aghaei Meibodi, assistant professor of architecture at the A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
- Camille Avestruz, assistant professor of physics in LSA.
- Fangfei Miao, assistant professor of music in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
- Cyrus Omar, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the College of Engineering.
Jonides, the Edward E. Smith Distinguished University Professor of psychology and neuroscience, has made significant contributions to understanding how the brain manages attention, working memory, and cognitive control. These capacities are fundamental to learning and decision-making processes.
Jonides has been pivotal in the evolution of cognitive neuroscience, notably by advancing human brain imaging to develop comprehensive models of cognitive processes within neural systems. His research has enhanced both theoretical and practical approaches in education and mental health.
A key discovery by Jonides involved identifying how different frontal cortex regions support the maintenance and manipulation of information in working memory. His work led to an influential taxonomy of executive functions, extensively cited within the field.
The application of this taxonomy has provided deeper insights into cognitive challenges associated with conditions like major depressive disorder and ADHD. Jonides’ expansive body of work is published in leading journals including Science, Nature, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Over the years, Jonides has been recognized with numerous U-M accolades such as the Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award and the Excellence in Research Award. His academic journey began with a B.A. in psychology from Johns Hopkins University, followed by advanced degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the University of Michigan faculty in 1975 and has held various esteemed positions, including his current role as professor of radiology in the Medical School.
Mania Aghaei Meibodi is pioneering the incorporation of robotics and computational design in architecture, enhancing 3D printing’s efficiency in construction. Her accolades include an NSF CAREER Award, and her research is widely published across notable academic platforms.
Her academic credentials include degrees from Curtin University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Luleå University of Technology, and a Ph.D. from KTH. Aghaei Meibodi joined U-M in 2019 as an assistant professor.
Camille Avestruz has made significant strides in cosmology, using AI to enhance astronomical imaging. Her work addresses critical questions about dark energy, and she collaborates on large-scale projects with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
Educated at Barnard College and Yale University, Avestruz’s postdoctoral work included fellowships at the University of Chicago. She joined U-M in 2019 as an assistant professor of physics.
Fangfei Miao is a trailblazer in Chinese dance studies, redefining the discipline through her culturally nuanced perspectives. Her forthcoming work is set to explore U.S.-China dynamics in dance.
Her academic background includes honors from Beijing Dance Academy and a Ph.D. from UCLA. Miao joined U-M’s faculty in 2020 as an assistant professor.
Cyrus Omar, heading the Future of Programming Lab, is reimagining programming environments to be more intuitive. His research tackles longstanding challenges like the “structure editing problem” to assist programmers in developing accurate code with real-time feedback.
Omar holds degrees from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University. Following a postdoctoral role at the University of Chicago, he joined U-M in 2019 as an assistant professor in computer science and engineering.
