David Omer's Lab

My lab focuses on understanding the computations performed by neuronal circuits in the primate brain and how these computations drive higher cognitive behaviors. Specifically, we aim to uncover the neuronal mechanisms in the primate hippocampus that enable navigation through both physical and social spaces. To achieve this, we use wireless neural loggers to record neuronal activity and behavior in social animals as they freely navigate these environments. Our approach centers on studying the neural correlates of natural behaviors.

For nearly five decades, our understanding of the mammalian hippocampal formation’s role in behavior has been dominated by the notion that the hippocampus is primarily involved in self-representation. A prevailing view, largely based on rodent studies, emphasizes self-navigation and cognitive mapping of the environment, with various cell types coding different aspects of self-navigation (i.e., “Where am I?”).

However, our recent work, along with that of others, has begun to shift this perspective. We have uncovered the existence of both social place cells and social time cells, demonstrating that the hippocampus also represents others in terms of both space and time. In line with this, our lab seeks to gain a mechanistic understanding of the neural circuits involved in representing others in the primate hippocampus, particularly during social-spatial behaviors such as group territoriality.

Recently, we have also become fascinated by the great evolutionary mystery of human language and speech. Our latest study revealed vocal labeling of others by nonhuman primates—a learned, flexible call production previously thought impossible for nonhuman primates. We are using a machine-learning approach and LLMs to study vocal communication.

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