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Ann Kennedy explains the theoretical neuroscience of survival behaviors

The Scripps neuroscientist calls for a broader theoretical neuroscience approach in her area of research, which focuses on how the subcortex bridges life and cognition.

By Paul Middlebrooks
24 September 2025 | 1 min read

In this episode of “Brain Inspired,” Paul Middlebrooks is joined by Ann Kennedy, associate professor at the Scripps Research Institute. Kennedy applies theoretical neuroscience tools to study how subcortical brain areas shape behaviors and cortical activity related to core life processes such as motivation, aggression and pain. She points to the early evolution of nervous systems to argue that molecular signaling, like protein expression, controls innate brain responses to varying environmental contexts.

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