Sean Froudist-Walsh
I lead the Cognition, Anatomy and Neural Networks (CANN) research group at the University of Oxford and Trinity College Dublin.
My aim is to understand the principles by which the brain’s anatomical organisation gives rise to distributed cognitive computations. To do this, my group builds anatomy-driven computational models that link micro- and macro-scale biological constraints (for example, receptor dynamics, connectivity and cortical gradients) to circuit dynamics, cognition, and behaviour. A major focus is translation across species: identifying what is conserved, what differs, and what will generalise to understanding and treating the human brain.
If you are interested in doing a DPhil/PhD with me, the best route is typically via Oxford’s funded doctoral programmes, or via Research Ireland funding for Trinity College Dublin . Please explore these schemes first, and then get in touch with a short description of your interests and background.
Key publications
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A dopamine gradient controls access to distributed working memory in the large-scale monkey cortex
Journal article
Froudist-Walsh S. et al, (2021), Neuron, 109, 3500 - 3520.e13
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A dynamic bifurcation mechanism explains cortex-wide neural correlates of conscious access
Journal article
Klatzmann U. et al, (2025), Cell Reports, 44, 115372 - 115372
Recent publications
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Short- and long-term modulation of rat prefrontal cortical activity following single doses of psilocybin
Journal article
Purple RJ. et al, (2025), Molecular Psychiatry, 30, 5889 - 5900
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Higher dopamine D1 receptor expression in prefrontal parvalbumin neurons underlies higher distractibility in marmosets versus macaques
Journal article
Joyce MKP. et al, (2025), Communications Biology, 8
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In vivo cartography of state-dependent signal flow hierarchy in the human cerebral cortex
Preprint
Oh Y. et al, (2025)