About
I am a computational neuroscientist with a Ph.D. in Neural Computation and Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where I was 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
- [Oct 2026] Graduated with a Ph.D. in Neural Computation and Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon University.
- [Sep 2026] Preprint on perceptual choking under pressure posted to bioRxiv.
- [Sep 2026] Work on interactions between motivation and motor planning accepted as a SFN late-breaking abstract.
- [Aug 2026] Preprint on prefrontal cortex brain-computer interface posted to bioRxiv.
- [Jul 2026] Selected for the 2026 NIH Outstanding Scholars in Neuroscience Award Program (OSNAP).
- [May 2026] Gave a guest lecture on brain-computer interfaces for the ACNEI Computational Neuroscience Course.
- [May 2026] Selected as a 2026 Rising Star in Neuroscience.
- [Feb 2026] Preprint on suite2p 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
* and † denotes equal contribution.
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Self-regulation of neuronal activity in prefrontal cortex [bioRxiv]
Chris S Ki*, Ryan C Williamson*, Akash Umakantha*, Byron M Yu†, Matthew A Smith†
Under review, 2026 -
Extracting large-scale neural activity with Suite2p [bioRxiv]
Carsen Stringer, Chris S Ki, Nick DelGrosso, Paul LaFosse, Qingqing Zhang, Marius Pachitariu
Under review, 2026 -
Eyes on the prize: a neural basis of perceptual choking under pressure [bioRxiv]
Megan E McDonnell, Adithya N Chandrasekaran, Chris S Ki, Adam L Smoulder, Hiroo Miyata, Byron M Yu, Aaron Batista, Matthew A Smith, Steven M Chase.
Under review, 2026 -
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.
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Relative timing between value and target information shapes motor cortical dynamics and behavior
Chris S Ki, Megan E McDonnell*, Adithya N Chandrasekaran*, Adam L Smoulder, Byron M Yu†, Aaron Batista†, Steven Chase†, Matthew A Smith†.
Society for Neuroscience (SFN), 2026. -
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
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Analyzing large-scale neural data with Suite2p [link]
Carsen Stringer, Chris S Ki, Paul La Fosse, Qingqing Zhang, Nick Del Grosso, Marius Pachitariu
Society for Neuroscience (SFN), 2025
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Transformation from memory to action in prefrontal and motor cortices [link]
Adithya N Chandrasekaran, Megan McDonnell, Chris S Ki, Byron M Yu, Aaron Batista†, Matthew A Smith†, Steven Chase†
Society for Neuroscience (SFN), 2025
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Choking under pressure: overcompensating for arousal? [link]
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
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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
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Reward and perceptual difficulty drive distinct changes in behavior and motor cortical activity [link]
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
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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
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A brain-computer interface in prefrontal cortex that suppresses neural variability [link]
Ryan C Williamson*, Akash Umakantha*, Chris S Ki*, Byron M Yu, Matthew A Smith
Computational and Systems Neuroscience (COSYNE), 2022