Daniel Aharoni is assistant professor of neurology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He received his Ph.D. in physics from UCLA, where he worked in high- and low-energy particle physics before shifting his focus to neurophysics. Aharoni stayed at UCLA for a postdoctoral fellowship under Baljit Khakh, Alcino Silva and Peyman Golshani, spearheading the technical development of the open-source UCLA Miniscope Project. Aharoni’s lab integrates engineering, neuroscience and physics to create innovative tools that address complex challenges in neuroscience. His research aims to enhance our understanding of neural circuits, advance tool design for neuroscience, and ensure equitable access to pioneering technologies.
Daniel Aharoni
Assistant professor of neurology
University of California, Los Angeles
From this contributor
Designing an open-source microscope
Funding for the development of open-source tools is on the rise, but support for their maintenance and dissemination, both crucial for their meaningful uptake, remains a major challenge.
Designing an open-source microscope
By
Daniel Aharoni
17 June 2024 | 6 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
‘Push-pull’ recipe for neural wiring used in multiple brain regions
A versatile pair of proteins steers neurons toward their targets and helps establish the brain’s sensory maps, new studies suggest.
‘Push-pull’ recipe for neural wiring used in multiple brain regions
A versatile pair of proteins steers neurons toward their targets and helps establish the brain’s sensory maps, new studies suggest.
By
Holly Barker
5 June 2026 | 5 min read
Reward-learning algorithm hardwired into dopamine circuit
The finding bolsters the canonical model of reward prediction error, which has come under scrutiny in recent years.
Reward-learning algorithm hardwired into dopamine circuit
The finding bolsters the canonical model of reward prediction error, which has come under scrutiny in recent years.
By
Natalia Mesa
5 June 2026 | 5 min read
Exclusive: Brain and spinal cord institute halts research, citing funding problems
The Burke Neurological Institute, which calls itself “the only research institute in the U.S. dedicated to finding treatments to repair the brain and spinal cord,” ceased research operations on 22 May.
Exclusive: Brain and spinal cord institute halts research, citing funding problems
The Burke Neurological Institute, which calls itself “the only research institute in the U.S. dedicated to finding treatments to repair the brain and spinal cord,” ceased research operations on 22 May.
By
Lauren Schenkman
4 June 2026 | 5 min read