Kuffler Lecture Series History

Stephen W. Kuffler was the first chairman of the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard University. He was a legendary figure both for his vision in launching a new field and for his numerous scientific contributions. The Kuffler Lecture Series at UC San Diego was started by Professor Mu-ming Poo, a former faculty member of neurobiology and the inaugural holder of the Stephen W. Kuffler endowed chair. David Hubel, a Nobel Laureate for his pathbreaking work on the visual system with Torsten Wiesel, was the first lecturer in 1998. Subsequent speakers are shown below and include 8 Nobel Laureates.

Mu-ming Poo

2018
Pathfinding in Neurobiology
Nicholas C. Spitzer

2017
Neurotransmiter Switching
William T. Newsome

2016
Eye, Brain, and Decision
Eve Marder

2015
Post-Connectome: Understanding How Neural Circuits Work
Thomas M. Jessell

2014
Measured Motion
Huda Zoghbi

2013
Studies in Balance: From Brains to Genes and Back to Mind
Cori Bargmann

2012
Disentangling Genes, Circuits and Behavior
Roger Nicoll

2011
Cracking the Tough Nut: A Journey into the Inner Workings of the Brain
Rod MacKinnon

2010
Electrical Signaling in Biology
Roger Y. Tsien

2009
Matter Over Mind: Probing Neurons and Brains with Molecules and Photons
Bert Sakmann

2008
Central Synapses: Form and Function
Richard Axel

2007
Scents and Sensibility
Masakazu Konishi

2006
Neural Mechanisms of Natural Behavior
Larry R. Squire

2005
The Structure and Organization of Memory
Martin Raff

2004
Regulation of Mammalian Neural Development
Eric R. Kandel

2003
Molecular Biology of Memory Storage
Solomon H. Snyder

2002
Novel Neural Messengers
Charles F. Stevens

2001
Synapses and Circuits
Sydney Brenner

2000
From Genes to Brains and Back Again
Francis H. C. Crick

1999
From DNA to Consciousness
David H. Hubel

1998
Eye, Brain and Vision