
Sergei Yakushin, PhD
- ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Neurology
Research Topics:
Behavior, Biophysics, Brain, Cerebellum, Computational Neuroscience, Eye Movements, Inner Ear, Locomotion, Mathematical Modeling of Biomedical Systems, Microgravity, Motor Control, Motor Neuron, Neural Code, Neural Networks, Neurobiology, Neuromuscular System, Neurophysiology, Neuroscience, Postural Control, Vestibular, VisionResearch interests:
My research career began when I graduated from Moscow State University in 1985. Over the next six years, I worked for the Russian Space program at the Institute of BioMedical Problems (IMBP, Moscow, Russia) in the department Neurophysiology headed by Dr. Inessa B Kozlovskaya. In 1991, I was invited to come to the United States to work on a NASA project in Dr. Cohen’s laboratory at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. From that time, I worked with Drs. Cohen, Raphan Gizzi, Reisine, and Dai on various projects.
My research interests are the adaptation and spatial orientation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). While in Russia, it was angular VOR adaptation to Space flights (1985-1991). While I was a member of Dr. Cohen’s lab, it was angular VOR adaptation to specific damage of the vestibular periphery, such as individual semicircular canal plugging and vestibular nerves section (1991-2005). As an independent investigator at Mount Sinai, I studied how the orientation of gravity interacts with angular VOR adaptation (2000-2012). Over the past two years I have been working with Dr. Dai on an experimental treatment for patients suffering from Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) (2014-present). It is likely that MdDS is caused by the adaptation of the VOR to complex vestibular stimulus experienced by patients while traveling. Thus, over my entire career, I have been interested in the various aspects of contextual learning of vestibulo-ocular reflex.
Over the last 3 years, I also collaborate with Drs. Bernard Cohen and Giorgio P. Martinelli at the department of Neurology on a project to study the vestibular causes of vasovagal syncope.
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Neuroscience [NEU]Education
MS, Moscow State University
MS, Brooklyn College
PhD, Brooklyn College
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Dr. Yakushin did not report having any of the following types of financial relationships with industry during 2022 and/or 2023: consulting, scientific advisory board, industry-sponsored lectures, service on Board of Directors, participation on industry-sponsored committees, equity ownership valued at greater than 5% of a publicly traded company or any value in a privately held company. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
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