Cornell University / Fernandez-Ruiz & Oliva Lab

Ryan Harvey, PhD

Neuroscientist investigating learning, memory, and hippocampal circuit dynamics.

I combine large-scale electrophysiology, closed-loop optogenetics, and computational analysis to understand how neural circuits organize experience into lasting memories.

View CV Email GitHub Google Scholar
Portrait of Ryan Harvey

Research

How experience becomes memory

As a Postdoctoral Associate at Cornell University, I study how hippocampal circuits coordinate memory reactivation. My current work focuses on the diversity of ripple-associated cell sequences and how precisely timed interventions can reveal the circuit logic behind learning and recall.

01

Large-scale recordings

High-density silicon probe recordings capture population dynamics across behaving neural circuits.

02

Closed-loop perturbation

Optogenetic interventions target brief circuit events to test their role in memory processing.

03

Computational analysis

Reproducible pipelines turn spikes, LFPs, and behavior into interpretable circuit-level structure.

Papers

Recent & Selected Publications

2025 Goal-directed hippocampal theta sweeps during memory-guided navigation Tang et al., preprint 2024 A hippocampal circuit mechanism to balance memory reactivation during sleep Karaba et al., Science 2023 Interictal epileptiform discharges affect memory in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model Soula et al., PNAS 2023 Hippocampo-cortical circuits for selective memory encoding, routing, and replay Harvey et al., Neuron 2020 Altered hippocampal place cell representation and theta rhythmicity following prenatal alcohol exposure Harvey et al., Current Biology 2018 Linear self-motion cues support spatial distribution and stability of hippocampal place cells Harvey et al., Current Biology 2017 Post-training anterior thalamic inactivation impairs spatial performance Harvey et al., Frontiers in Neuroscience

Open Source

Tools for reproducible neuroscience

Python neuroscience toolkit

neuro_py

Analysis tools for large-scale neurophysiology datasets, including spike trains, LFPs, and behavior.

 Time series framework

nelpy

A flexible framework for analyzing neural ensembles and time-indexed experimental data.

Path

Academic trajectory

  1. Purdue University

    B.A., 2014. Human navigation and memory in virtual environments, followed by single-unit hippocampal recordings in freely moving rodents.

  2. University of New Mexico

    M.Sc., 2016; Ph.D. Spatial memory, anterior thalamic function, developmental alcohol exposure, place cell coding, and sharp-wave ripple activity.

  3. Cornell University

    Postdoctoral Associate in the Fernandez-Ruiz & Oliva Lab, studying hippocampal ripples, cell sequences, and memory reactivation.

Contact

Let's connect

For research, collaboration, software, or speaking inquiries, email is the best place to start.

rh538@cornell.edu GitHub PubMed ORCID