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Leonard Edward White

Associate Professor in Neurology
Neurology, General & Community Neurology
Box 91003, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Durham, NC 27708
M056 Levine Science Research Center, 308 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Functional architecture of the visual cortex; role of sensory experience in development

One important goal of neuroscience is to understand the fundamental principles that shape the developing brain. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to characterize the interactions between sensorimotor behavior, self-organization, and genetically programmed mechanisms of brain development. This interplay between intrinsic and experience-dependent factors is most dynamic during early life, at a time of explosive increase in the numbers and complexity of neural connections. It is precisely this increase in neural capacity that makes possible the rich repertoire of behavior associated with functional maturity. My primary interest is to understand how sensorimotor experience in early life influences — for better or worse — the formation and maturation of functional neural circuits in the cerebral cortex. My collaborators and I believe that our studies are providing insight into the nature of normal brain development and the consequences of disrupting the partnership between intrinsic developmental mechanisms and early sensorimotor experience.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in Neurology · 2017 - Present Neurology, General & Community Neurology, Neurology
Associate Director of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2016 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers
Director of Undergraduate Studies of Neuroscience · 2019 - Present Psychology & Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Professor of Neurobiology · 2010 - Present Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments
Associate Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery · 2017 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments
Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience · 2018 - Present Psychology & Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2011 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers

Education, Training & Certifications


Washington University in St. Louis · 1992 Ph.D.