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.
David J. Anderson
2024
Neural Control of Internal States Underlying Innate BehaviorsDavid J. Anderson
2023
Brain States Underlying Innate Social BehaviorsYuh-Nung Jan and Lily Jan
2022
Ion Chanels for Neuronal Function and DevelopmentCarla Shatz
2019
Synapses Lost and Found in Brain Development, Disease and RepairMu-ming Poo
2018
Pathfinding in NeurobiologyNicholas C. Spitzer
2017
Neurotransmitter SwitchingWilliam T. Newsome
2016
Eye, Brain, and DecisionEve Marder
2015
Post-Connectome: Understanding How Neural Circuits WorkThomas M. Jessell
2014
Measured MotionHuda Zoghbi
2013
Studies in Balance: From Brains to Genes and Back to MindCori Bargmann
2012
Disentangling Genes, Circuits and BehaviorRoger Nicoll
2011
Cracking the Tough Nut: A Journey into the Inner Workings of the BrainRod MacKinnon
2010
Electrical Signaling in BiologyRoger Y. Tsien
2009
Matter Over Mind: Probing Neurons and Brains with Molecules and PhotonsBert Sakmann
2008
Central Synapses: Form and FunctionRichard Axel
2007
Scents and SensibilityMasakazu Konishi
2006
Neural Mechanisms of Natural BehaviorLarry R. Squire
2005
The Structure and Organization of MemoryMartin Raff
2004
Regulation of Mammalian Neural DevelopmentEric R. Kandel
2003
Molecular Biology of Memory StorageSolomon H. Snyder
2002
Novel Neural MessengersCharles F. Stevens
2001
Synapses and CircuitsSydney Brenner
2000
From Genes to Brains and Back AgainFrancis H. C. Crick
1999
From DNA to ConsciousnessDavid H. Hubel
1998
Eye, Brain and Vision
The 2013 Kuffler Lecture Series & Dinner was generously supported by the Ray Thomas Edwards Foundation.