Ai Koizumi

Message

Throughout our life, our brain helps us adapt to the surrounding environment. However, our brain may not always stay adaptive, e.g., when genes bias neural development in certain directions, or when a traumatic experience leaves strong fear memory traces. Such traits or states of the brain may appear dysfunctional to some. But I prefer to see them as “neurodiversity,” a quality that can potentially enrich all our lives if the individuals with these diverse brains are better accommodated by society.

In my research, I aim to shed light on the potential benefits and hidden talents behind seemingly non-adaptive brain functions using neuroscientific approaches. I also aim to improve mental health care by developing novel techniques to better monitor, predict, and prevent the development of mental disorders such as PTSD, and implement these techniques in actual clinical settings. Through my research, I wish to contribute to the creation of a “mentally accessible” society, where all individuals can thrive regardless of where they stand on the spectrum of neurodiversity.

Profile

Ai KOIZUMI received her B.A. in Psychology and Cinema (double major) from The State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton and her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Tokyo. She works as a researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories since 2019. Her research career includes time as a researcher in the Columbia University Department of Psychology and the Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet), and a special lecturer at the Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance. She currently serves as a cooperating researcher with Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR). Previously, she served as a special researcher or special international researcher with Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), NTT Communications Science Laboratories, the Japan-U.S. Brain Research Cooperation Program, the Leading Initiative for Excellent Young Researchers (LEADER).