Daniel Dorman started at Hope in 2024 as an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience. During a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University, Daniel worked on the computational analysis of human behavior and intracranial EEG data recorded during decision-making tasks to understand brain activity patterns that predict cognitive control in decision-making.

In his lab at Hope College, he will integrate computational and experimental approaches to neurophysiology to better understand the brain mechanisms that translate goal-directed behaviors into habitual behaviors, how these neural mechanisms can be co-opted by addiction, substance use disorders, or compulsive behaviors and potential therapeutic targets for these disorders.

Areas of Expertise

Daniel focuses on integrating computational methods in neuroscience with experimental data to understand the functions of neurons, neural circuits, and brain activity that support goal-directed and habitual learning and behavior. His PhD in neuroscience at George Mason University centered on biologically detailed computational models of neurons in the basal ganglia, which are important for reward-dependent goal-directed and habit learning and are susceptible to substance use disorders.

Education

  • PhD, Neuroscience, George Mason University, 2021

Outside the College

Daniel enjoys playing music with his spouse, Suzanne, spending time with their three kids, relaxing on the beach at Lake Michigan and being actively involved in their neighborhood community in Holland.

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