Expert Talk on “Using computational tools to understand vocalization processing and attentional modulation in auditory cortex “

Dr. Manaswini Kar is an accomplished neuroscience researcher specializing in cognitive and behavioral mechanisms through integrative approaches that combine behavioral studies, electrophysiology, and computational modelling. She earned her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Neuroscience (CNUP) and the Center for Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC), where her doctoral work explored the laminar organization of vocalization processing and attentional modulation in the auditory cortex. She also holds an Integrated M.Sc. in Life Science from NISER, Bhubaneswar.

Dr. Kar has published seven peer-reviewed papers, including first-author articles in eLife and PLOS Biology. Her research excellence has been recognized with the McClelland Prize (2022) and Best Poster Award at APAN (2020). Proficient in in-vivo electrophysiology, behavioral training, multivariate analysis, and machine learning, she utilizes tools such as MATLAB and Python in her research.

Currently, Dr. Kar serves as Program Officer for Biomedical Research & Consultant at Health Resources in Action (HRIA), Boston, overseeing biomedical grant programs totaling around $30 million annually and promoting health equity through research translation. She has also contributed to science policy leadership as Vice President of Allegheny Science Policy and Governance, earning recognition at UCLA’s science policy competition.

Dr. Kar is prepared to teach courses in Systems Neuroscience, Auditory Neuroscience and Language Processing, and Computational Approaches in Neuroscience, emphasizing integration of foundational concepts with hands-on research experiences.