Elizabeth M. C. Hillman
Papers
1
Total Citations
6
H-Index
1
About
Elizabeth M. C. Hillman is a pioneering neuroscientist and biomedical engineer whose work bridges advanced optical imaging with fundamental questions in neurobiology. Her research centers on developing novel microscopy techniques to visualize neural activity and hemodynamics in living animals, with a particular focus on understanding brain function and behavior. Hillman is perhaps best known for inventing swept confocally-aligned planar excitation (SCAPE) microscopy, a revolutionary technology that enables real-time, 3D imaging of cellular activity in freely moving organisms. This breakthrough has opened new windows into studying neural circuits during natural behaviors. Her recent work on threat learning in zebrafish larvae—demonstrating that days-old fish can rapidly learn to recognize predators through noradrenergic and forebrain circuits—has garnered significant attention (6 citations in 2024 alone) and challenges assumptions about early vertebrate cognition. With over 15,000 citations across her career, Hillman’s contributions have been recognized by numerous awards, including a MacArthur Fellowship. Her innovative imaging tools continue to transform how researchers explore the dynamic brain in action.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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