The Neural Circuits and Behavioral Core offers state-of-the-art equipment for behavioral testing and tissue imaging. Investigators may request access or training to the facility to conduct their own experiments, or consult with the Core to have the Core staff conduct the experiments for them. In addition, the Core is available for consultations regarding experiment-planning and statistical analyses.
About our facility
The NCBC is a part of the Iowa Neuroscience Institute (INI). It is located within the John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building (PBDB). The NCBC's animal housing and behavioral testing rooms are located within PBDB's barrier animal facility. Core imaging equipment is located within the INI on the second floor of PBDB.
Shane Heiney, PhD
Shane Heiney received his PhD in Neuroscience from Washington University in St Louis and did postdoctoral work with Javier Medina at the University of Pennsylvania and Baylor College of Medicine. His research focuses on the role of the cerebellum in skilled movements, with a particular focus on local circuit processing within the cerebellum and circuit interactions of the cerebellum with midbrain and forebrain regions. Dr. Heiney has expertise in non-human primate and rodent behavior, single unit in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, and various microscopy/imaging techniques.
Brandt Uitermarkt, MA
Brandt received his Masters in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Iowa in 2013. He has over 10 years of research experience working in neuroscience research at the University and has published on topics related to sleep physiology, brain imaging, and brain stimulation. Brandt assists with daily operations of the Core and provides support to current and prospective users of the facility.
Nikša Poleksić, BS
Nikša graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in Biomedical Engineering. He joined the core in 2021 as an undergraduate research assistant, and currently works full time as a research intern. His interests include studying the role of the cerebellum in predictive motor control and motor learning. In his spare time, Nikša enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, and attending concerts.
Daniel Wilkerson
Daniel is an undergraduate Mathematics and Computer Science major in their fourth year at the University of Iowa. They are interested in all things mathematical, but find that abstract algebra and formal logic capture their attention the most often. Outside of academics, they enjoy reading, meeting pets, cooking great food, and playing board games with their friends.