Silas Busch, PhD, was awarded the Best Dissertation in the Biological Sciences Division for his exceptional doctoral work in Neurobiology at the Divisional Academic Ceremony on June 5, 2025. His dissertation, A Characterization of the Morphology, Function, and Evolution of Purkinje Cells with Multiple Primary Dendrites, conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Christian Hansel, explored a unique and understudied population of cerebellar neurons. Silas’s research combined morphological analysis, electrophysiology, and evolutionary perspectives to illuminate how these distinctive Purkinje cells contribute to cerebellar function across species.
Silas graduated in December 2024 is a postdoctoral associate at The Rockefeller University in Dr. Vanessa Ruta’s lab, where investigates the neural basis of learning and memory in the fruit fly olfactory system—continuing his commitment to uncovering the cellular mechanisms underlying complex behaviors.