by Shreya Rana, April 2025
Jason Climer, a dynamic researcher at the Beckman Institute, brings a unique blend of engineering and neuroscience to his work. Climer is a Neuroscience faculty member with his home unit being Molecular and Integrative Physiology. Driven by personal experiences with neurodegenerative diseases, Climer is dedicated to understanding the intricate workings of the brain, particularly in the areas of memory and forgetting.
Climer's research delves into the fascinating world of "place cells," neurons that fire when an animal occupies a specific location. His work explores how these cells contribute to memory formation and consolidation, and how they might be involved in the process of forgetting. Using cutting-edge techniques like 2-photon imaging and virtual reality (VR) systems, he observes the activity of these cells in mice, seeking to understand how the brain adapts to new environments and how memories are retained over time.
His current projects, which include developing new VR systems and long-term imaging of neurons, are pushing the boundaries of neuroscience research. Climer's work also touches on the "plasticity" of neurons, exploring how their structure and function can change over time.
Climer's academic journey has taken him from Worcester Polytechnic Institute to prestigious institutions like Boston University (BU) and Northwestern University. His experience in collaborative research environments and with big schools has shaped his approach to science.
His interest in neuroscience stems from personal experiences with neurodegenerative diseases in his family. This personal connection fuels his passion for understanding the brain and finding potential solutions to neurological disorders.
For Climer, the most rewarding aspect of research is the process of discovery itself. He finds joy in building new tools, like microscopes and VR systems, and seeing them work. He also appreciates the power of new statistical tools to reveal hidden insights.
Climer acknowledges that discovery in neuroscience is incremental and validation is often complex. He emphasizes that "when things don't work, that is more common" is a mantra of research, highlighting the importance of perseverance and learning from setbacks.
Climer chose the University of Illinois for its exceptional resources and the conducive environment it provides for conducting his groundbreaking research. He is actively seeking graduate students to join his lab, offering them the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge neuroscience research.
With his innovative approach and unwavering dedication, Climer is poised to make significant contributions to our understanding of the brain. His work holds promise for shedding light on the mechanisms of memory and forgetting, and potentially paving the way for new treatments for neurological disorders.
Undergraduate and graduate students interested in neuroscience research are encouraged to explore opportunities in Climer's lab. His website (https://climerlab.org) provides more information about his research and how to get involved.