Sean Froudist-Walsh
I lead the Cognition, Anatomy and Neural Networks (CANN) research group.
My aim is to understand the principles by which the brain’s anatomical organisation enables flexible cognition. By tackling this question, I believe we can advance our understanding of symptoms in psychiatric conditions and guide translation from basic neuroscience findings to treatment of human brain disorders.
To do this, my group builds anatomy-driven computational models that link micro- and macro-scale biological constraints (for example, receptor dynamics, connectivity and cortical gradients) to circuit dynamics, cognition, and behaviour. A major focus is translation across species: identifying what is conserved, what differs, and what will generalise to understanding and treating the human brain.
If you are interested in doing a DPhil/PhD with me, the best route is typically via Oxford’s funded doctoral programmes. If you're interested in a postdoc, there are lots of good fellowship schemes, and occasionally we announce an open position. Please explore these schemes first, and then get in touch with a short description of your interests and background.
Key publications
Higher dopamine D1 receptor expression in prefrontal parvalbumin neurons underlies higher distractibility in marmosets versus macaques.
Journal article
Joyce MKP. et al, (2025), Commun Biol, 8
A dynamic bifurcation mechanism explains cortex-wide neural correlates of conscious access.
Journal article
Klatzmann U. et al, (2025), Cell Rep, 44
Gradients of neurotransmitter receptor expression in the macaque cortex.
Journal article
Froudist-Walsh S. et al, (2023), Nat Neurosci, 26, 1281 - 1294
A dopamine gradient controls access to distributed working memory in the large-scale monkey cortex.
Journal article
Froudist-Walsh S. et al, (2021), Neuron, 109, 3500 - 3520.e13
Recent publications
Competitive interactions shape mammalian brain network dynamics and computation.
Journal article
Luppi AI. et al, (2026), Nat Neurosci, 29, 915 - 933
Short- and long-term modulation of rat prefrontal cortical activity following single doses of psilocybin.
Journal article
Purple RJ. et al, (2025), Mol Psychiatry, 30, 5889 - 5900
Higher dopamine D1 receptor expression in prefrontal parvalbumin neurons underlies higher distractibility in marmosets versus macaques.
Journal article
Joyce MKP. et al, (2025), Commun Biol, 8