About
I am a PhD student in the joint Neural Computation and Machine Learning program at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). I am co-advised by Matthew Smith and Byron Yu. My research uses neural population analyses, including dimensionality reduction techniques, together with brain-computer interfaces to understand how internal states are represented and regulated. Previously, I studied computer science and neuroscience at UC Berkeley.
Recent Updates
- [Jul 2026] Selected for the 2026 NIH Outstanding Scholars in Neuroscience Award Program (OSNAP).
- [May 2026] Selected as a 2026 Rising Star in Neuroscience.
- [Feb 2026] Suite2p preprint posted to bioRxiv.
- [Jun 2024] Started as a Research Scientist Intern in the CTRL Labs division at Meta Reality Labs.
- [Aug 2022] Selected for the NINDS T32 Systems Neuroscience Training Grant.
Selected Publications
-
Self-regulation of neuronal activity in prefrontal cortex.
Chris S Ki*, Ryan C Williamson*, Akash Umakantha*, Byron M Yu, Matthew A Smith
In preparation -
Extracting large-scale neural activity with Suite2p. [bioRxiv]
Carsen Stringer, Chris S Ki, Nick DelGrosso, Paul LaFosse, Qingqing Zhang, Marius Pachitariu
In preparation -
Simultaneous classification of neuroactive compounds in zebrafish. [bioRxiv]
Douglas Myers-Turnbull, Jack C Taylor, Cole Helsell, Matthew N McCarroll, Chris S Ki , Tia A Tummino, Shreya Ravikumar, Reid Kinser, Leo Gendelev, Rebekah Alexander, Michael J Keiser, David Kokel
Preprint, 2020 -
State transitions in the substantia nigra reticulata predict the onset of motor deficits in models of progressive dopamine depletion in mice [link]
Amanda M Willard, Brian R Isett, Timothy C Whalen, Kevin J Mastro, Chris S Ki, Xiaobo Mao, Aryn H Gittis
eLife, 2019
Conference Abstracts
* and † denotes equal contribution.
-
Eyes on the prize: a neural basis of perceptual choking under pressure
Megan McDonnell, Adithya N Chandrasekaran, Chris S Ki, Adam L Smoulder, Hiroo Miyata, Byron M Yu†, Aaron Batista†, Steven Chase†, Matthew A Smith†
Gordon Research Conference: Neurobiology of Cognition, 2026
-
Analyzing large-scale neural data with Suite2p
Carsen Stringer, Chris S Ki, Paul La Fosse, Qingqing Zhang, Nick Del Grosso, Marius Pachitariu
Society for Neuroscience (SFN), 2025
-
Transformation from memory to action in prefrontal and motor cortices
Adithya N Chandrasekaran, Megan McDonnell, Chris S Ki, Byron M Yu, Aaron Batista†, Matthew A Smith†, Steven Chase†
Society for Neuroscience (SFN), 2025
-
Choking under pressure: overcompensating for arousal?
Megan McDonnell, Adithya N Chandrasekaran, Chris S Ki, Adam Smoulder, Byron M Yu, Aaron Batista†, Matthew A Smith†, Steven Chase†
Society for Neuroscience (SFN), 2025
-
Distinct sensory and motor components of choking under pressure.
Megan McDonnell*, Adithya N Chandrasekaran*, Chris S Ki*, Adam Smoulder, Byron M Yu, Aaron Batista, Matthew A Smith, Steven Chase
Gordon Research Conference: Neurobiology of Cognition, 2024
-
Reward and perceptual difficulty drive distinct changes in behavior and motor cortical activity.
Adithya N Chandrasekaran*, Megan McDonnell*, Chris S Ki*, Adam Smoulder, Byron M Yu, Aaron Batista, Matthew A Smith, Steven Chase
Computational and Systems Neuroscience (COSYNE), 2024
-
A brain-computer interface in prefrontal cortex that suppresses neural variability.
Ryan C Williamson*, Akash Umakantha*, Chris S Ki*, Byron M Yu, Matthew A Smith
Gordon Research Conference: Neurobiology of Cognition, 2022
-
A brain-computer interface in prefrontal cortex that suppresses neural variability.
Ryan C Williamson*, Akash Umakantha*, Chris S Ki*, Byron M Yu, Matthew A Smith
Computational and Systems Neuroscience (COSYNE), 2022