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Alexandra DeCasien

PHD Candidate at New York University

Alexandra DeCasien is a PhD candidate at New York University (NYU), specializing in biological anthropology, evolutionary neuroscience, and computational biology. Her research focuses on understanding the evolution of the primate brain, particularly in relation to sexual selection and cognitive abilities. She employs a multidisciplinary approach that integrates phylogenetic comparative methods, neuroimaging, and bioinformatics to explore significant questions about brain evolution and sex differences in neurological conditions.134

Academic Background and Research

  • Education: DeCasien has completed her BS, MA, MPhil, and is currently pursuing her PhD at NYU.
  • Dissertation: Her dissertation project examines variation in neuroanatomy and gene expression in primate brains, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) and Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (DDRIG).16
  • Current Work: She is also a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), where she investigates normative sex differences in brain cell-type specific gene expression patterns across the human brain.26

Research Interests

DeCasien's research interests include:

  • The evolutionary pressures leading to larger brain sizes in certain primate species.
  • The genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic variations influencing brain structure and function.
  • The implications of sex differences in brain biology on neurological and psychiatric conditions.13

Publications

She has contributed to numerous research articles exploring topics such as:

  • The relationship between social connections and brain structure in primates.
  • The evolutionary aspects of cognitive abilities linked to sexual selection.15

DeCasien's work is recognized for its innovative approach to understanding complex biological questions, making her a notable figure in her field.

Highlights

Aug 9 · p.nyu.edu
Alexandra DeCasien – Center for the Study of Human Origins
Alexandra DeCasien – Center for the Study of Human Origins
Alex DeCasien's Site on Strikingly

Related Questions

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Alexandra DeCasien
Alexandra DeCasien, photo 1
Alexandra DeCasien, photo 2
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Location

Greater New York City Area