Our Mission
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We seek to understand the neural basis of behavior and develop novel treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders through the interdisciplinary study of network dynamics. We walk the translational talk by integrating preclinical and clinical research. We use electrophysiology, imaging, brain stimulation, cognitive assays, and gold-standard clinical trials methodology. We use advanced data analysis, computational modeling, and machine learning in close conjunction with our experimental work. We are the founders of the Carolina Center for Neurostimulation to build a synergistic community for the development of novel treatments of network disorders. We strive to make our laboratory a productive, collaborative, and happy workplace. Our core values are outstanding mentorship, highest scientific integrity, and world-class innovation. We welcome, celebrate, and foster diversity.
Together we will change the world! |
We are welcoming BBSP rotation students!
Join us to study brain rhythms and develop new treatments for mental illness. We recognize that we are living in a difficult time and, as a lab, we strive to not only excel as scientists but also act as a change agent to help address the systemic issues in our society. Contact us to learn more.
Join the Frohlich Lab!
We are hiring multiple postdocs to investigate the causal role of brain oscillations in cognition and psychiatric illnesses.
Are you interested in the causal role of brain rhythms in cognition? Excited to use cutting-edge circuit perturbation strategies and advanced data analytics? We are looking to hire multiple postdocs to join our team at UNC. We are a unique team that brings together preclinical and clinical research to advance the rational design of circuit-based therapeutics in psychiatry. We are looking to hire postdocs interested in both animal and human studies.
Mechanistic Investigation of Network Oscillations in Behaving Animals with Optogenetics and Multisite Electrophysiology We developed a comprehensive toolset to examine the large-scale network dynamics in the ferret, a unique model system to study alpha oscillations. We combine optogenetics, multisite multielectrode array recordings, and touch-screen based behavioral assays to delineate the role of theta and alpha oscillations in cognitive control.
Investigating the Causal Role of Cortical Oscillations in Cognitive Control We use TMS to modulate specific brain rhythms to understand their causal role in cognitive control. This project combines multisite TMS with advanced EEG data analysis and fMRI. In parallel, we also examine the same networks by recording and stimulating the human brain in epilepsy patients implanted with electrodes. This project builds on our track record of using rhythmic low-amplitude stimulation to modulate cognitive function (Alagapan et al 2019a, b).
Targeting Brain Network Oscillations as Treatment for Mental Illness We pioneered the use of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in restoring impaired network oscillations as a treatment for psychiatric illnesses such as depression (Alexander et al 2019) and schizophrenia (Ahn et al 2018). Data collection of multiple trials is ongoing and recruitment for several new trials will begin soon.
About Us Established in 2011, the Frohlich Lab has a long-standing track record of translating preclinical discoveries about network oscillations and brain stimulation into human studies and treatment clinical trials, such as our recent work on transcranial alternating current stimulation for the treatment of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and chronic pain. We are one of the very few research groups that synergistically combine research in animal models and in humans. Most postdocs who graduated from the Frohlich Lab are now either faculty or staff scientists at leading research universities around the world. We are part of the vibrant UNC-Chapel Hill neuroscience community. Our lab organizes a yearly international brain stimulation conference (Integrative Neurostimulation Conference, formerly known as the Carolina Neurostimulation Conference). An abundance of seminars, workshops, and meetings provide opportunities for collaborations, professional development, and career advancement. Chapel Hill is an exciting and affordable town. We are part of a rapidly growing community that includes Durham (Duke University) and Raleigh (Research Triangle Park and NC State University).
Academic qualifications and requirements:
- PhD degree in relevant discipline (or PhD defense scheduled)
- Experience with neurophysiology, computational neuroscience, or experimental psychology
- Programming experience
Application checklist:
1) A single page research statement demonstrating your fit with the program described above.
2) Current academic CV demonstrating research excellence and a capacity for leadership.
3) Contact information for two references from academic supervisors or current employers.
Learn more about us here: www.frohlichlab.org. Please reach out to Flavio Frohlich (flavio_frohlich@med.unc.edu) to discuss this unique opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you!
Mechanistic Investigation of Network Oscillations in Behaving Animals with Optogenetics and Multisite Electrophysiology We developed a comprehensive toolset to examine the large-scale network dynamics in the ferret, a unique model system to study alpha oscillations. We combine optogenetics, multisite multielectrode array recordings, and touch-screen based behavioral assays to delineate the role of theta and alpha oscillations in cognitive control.
Investigating the Causal Role of Cortical Oscillations in Cognitive Control We use TMS to modulate specific brain rhythms to understand their causal role in cognitive control. This project combines multisite TMS with advanced EEG data analysis and fMRI. In parallel, we also examine the same networks by recording and stimulating the human brain in epilepsy patients implanted with electrodes. This project builds on our track record of using rhythmic low-amplitude stimulation to modulate cognitive function (Alagapan et al 2019a, b).
Targeting Brain Network Oscillations as Treatment for Mental Illness We pioneered the use of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in restoring impaired network oscillations as a treatment for psychiatric illnesses such as depression (Alexander et al 2019) and schizophrenia (Ahn et al 2018). Data collection of multiple trials is ongoing and recruitment for several new trials will begin soon.
About Us Established in 2011, the Frohlich Lab has a long-standing track record of translating preclinical discoveries about network oscillations and brain stimulation into human studies and treatment clinical trials, such as our recent work on transcranial alternating current stimulation for the treatment of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and chronic pain. We are one of the very few research groups that synergistically combine research in animal models and in humans. Most postdocs who graduated from the Frohlich Lab are now either faculty or staff scientists at leading research universities around the world. We are part of the vibrant UNC-Chapel Hill neuroscience community. Our lab organizes a yearly international brain stimulation conference (Integrative Neurostimulation Conference, formerly known as the Carolina Neurostimulation Conference). An abundance of seminars, workshops, and meetings provide opportunities for collaborations, professional development, and career advancement. Chapel Hill is an exciting and affordable town. We are part of a rapidly growing community that includes Durham (Duke University) and Raleigh (Research Triangle Park and NC State University).
Academic qualifications and requirements:
- PhD degree in relevant discipline (or PhD defense scheduled)
- Experience with neurophysiology, computational neuroscience, or experimental psychology
- Programming experience
Application checklist:
1) A single page research statement demonstrating your fit with the program described above.
2) Current academic CV demonstrating research excellence and a capacity for leadership.
3) Contact information for two references from academic supervisors or current employers.
Learn more about us here: www.frohlichlab.org. Please reach out to Flavio Frohlich (flavio_frohlich@med.unc.edu) to discuss this unique opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you!
Announcements:
Learn how Dr. Flavio Frohlich is combining music and neuroscience to better understand how multiple brains synchronize and communicate with each other!
- Tuned into Neuroscience
- Tuned into Neuroscience
New online resource for people curious about transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). Includes frequently asked questions and a growing list of ongoing clinical trials.
Dr. Flavio Frohlich discusses the story behind our treatment trials using brain stimulation to treat mental illness in UNC-CH's Well Said podcast:
- Well Said: A new treatment for mental illness
- Well Said: A new treatment for mental illness
Press releases on our study using brain stimulation to improve depression symptoms:
- UNC Health Care
- UNC Health Care
Press releases on our study using brain stimulation to treat chronic back pain:
- UNC Health Care
- National Pain Report
- Wall Street Journal (subscription needed)
- UNC Health Care
- National Pain Report
- Wall Street Journal (subscription needed)
Thank you to VIDA Strings for helping us make this musical hyper-scanning event come to fruition! We had so much fun listening to you all perform!!
Frohlich Lab Tweets:
We are funded by...
- Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness
- NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)
- North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBC)
- National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)
- Tal Medical
What people are saying...
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"I really appreciated that there were lots of opportunities for hands on work, which allowed me to gain skills in several areas such as histology, imaging, and animal training."
"Open and flexible work environment" "I was given a lot of responsibility as an undergraduate and Flavio and the grad students helped me develop a lot of skills that have helped me in future research and have made me a good candidate for grad school." "Research projects, research dynamics and atmosphere, good mentoring relationship etc." "Exciting projects, well-established platform for documentation, regular feedback from Flavio, freedom in implementing my own algorithms and code changes." "The opportunity to grow and be around such amazing research/potential." |
"Flavio's dedication to his work and his team is unparalleled. He has very high expectations but does reward and acknowledge accordingly when one meets them. I still find myself missing some of my colleagues from the Frohlich Lab for their friendship, intelligence, and sense of ownership. I know that I owe a lot of my success to Flavio's mentorship and his willingness to challenge me to push myself to my limits which is very much not something that had ever been asked of me before I joined the Frohlich Lab."
"The lab was very welcoming and instructive. "Collegial environment, wonderful people, patience with my relative lack of bench work experience." "The personal attention from the PI. While standards were high, mentorship was provided to help you reach your goals." "goal-oriented, productive, exciting" |