Marc A. Sommer

Biomedical Engineering

Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Marc A. Sommer Profile Photo
Marc A. Sommer Profile Photo

Bio

We study circuits for cognition. Using a combination of neurophysiology and biomedical engineering, we focus on the interaction between brain areas during visual perception, decision-making, and motor planning. Specific projects include the role of frontal cortex in metacognition, the role of cerebellar-frontal circuits in action timing, the neural basis of "good enough" decision-making (satisficing), and the neural mechanisms of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Education

  • Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995

Positions

  • Professor of Biomedical Engineering
  • Associate Professor in Neurobiology
  • Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
  • Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

  • Capers and Marion McDonald Award for Excellence in Teaching and Research. Pratt School of Engineering. 2021
  • Capers and Marion McDonald Award for Excellence in Mentoring and Advising. Pratt School of Engineering. 2017
  • Bass Fellow. Duke University. 2017
  • Research Fellowship-Neuroscience. Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. 2005

Courses Taught

  • BME 493: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)
  • BME 494: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)
  • BME 517: Neuronal Control of Movement (GE, EL)
  • BME 601L: Introduction to Neural Engineering
  • BME 791: Graduate Independent Study
  • BME 792: Continuation of Graduate Independent Study
  • NEUROSCI 493: Research Independent Study 1
  • NEUROSCI 494: Research Independent Study 2
  • NEUROSCI 517: Neuronal Control of Movement (GE, EL)
  • NEUROSCI 755: Interdisciplinary Program in Cognitive Neuroscience (IPCN) Independent Research Rotation