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I conducted my postdoctoral research (2004 - 2007) at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, where I developed a strong interest for thalamic nuclei and their critical roles in cognition. During this time, I also explored strategies to mitigate cognitive deficits caused by thalamic damage, focusing on the potential benefits of environmental enrichment. In 2008, I secured a permanent research position at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).

Since then, I have established multiple research avenues to uncover how interactions between thalamic nuclei and cortical regions underpin cognitive processes. My work integrates a range of experimental approaches, from descriptive and functional neuroanatomy to behavioral paradigms rooted in experimental psychology.

Currently, I lead the Decision & Adaptation (DECAD) team and serve as deputy director for the Bordeaux Neurocampus.

Research axes

Functional interactions between the orbitofrontal cortex and the mediodorsal thalamus during adaptive decision-making

ANR PRC 2025 OrbiThalamix Thalamocortical functional architecture for adaptive decision-making - PI : M Wolff (300k€), Co-PI ; Audrey Hay, Emmanuelle Courtiol (CRNL, Lyon)

ANR PRC 2024 Neuro-Flex Neurocomputational and neurophysiological bases of Individual behavioural flexibility – PI : M Benoit-Marand (LNEC, Poitier), Co-PI : M Wolff (219k€), M Khamassi (ISIR, Paris)

 

Projet Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine 2024 Analyse multimodale des dysfonctionnements neurovasculaires dans les maladies neurodéveloppementales – PI : B Bontempi, Co-PI : M Wolff (52k€), C Nicolas, M Thobby-Brisson (INCIA)

FRC 2023 Thalamocortical dysconnectivity as a central psychiatric syndrome – PI: S Parnaudeau (Paris), Co-PI : M Wolff (40k€)

Thalamocortical determinants of voluntary actions: focus on the secondary motor region

ANR PRC 2022 THALACOR Thalamocortical bases of voluntary actions – PI : M Wolff (257k€), Co-Pi : F Gambino & Lisa Roux (IINS, Bordeaux Neurocampus)

GPR BRAIN_2030 ADAPSY

Role of the anterior thalamus in memory consolidation

ANR PRC 2023 ThalaGram Thalamus control of memory engrams in the retrosplenial cortex – PI : C Mulle (IINS), Co-PI : M Wolff (205k€), Bruno Bontempi (INCIA)

Projet Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine 2023 Dimensions symptomatologiques et physiopathologiques communes à la Maladie de Parkinson et la Maladie d’Alzheimer PI : M Wolff (111k€), Co-PI : B Bontempi, G Barrière, M Cador (INCIA)

GPR BRAIN_2030 MEMORY

Scientific responsibilities

Deputy director Bordeaux Neurocampus

Treasurer-elect Société des Neurosciences

European Brain and Behaviour Society

eLife reviewing editor

 

Supervision

Juan Manuel Dafauce Garcia (PhD)

Neuronal circuits of learning in uncertain environments

Emma Marillat (PhD)

Thalamocortical bases of voluntary actions

Risa Iguchi (Post-Doc)

Thalamocortical functional architecture for adaptive decision-making

 

Collaborations

Frédéric Gambino, Lisa Roux, Christophe Mulle (IINS)

Marianne Benoit-Marand (LNEC, Poitier)

Sébastien Parnaudeau (IBPS, Paris)

Mehdi Khamassi (ISIR, Paris)

Francisco Clasca (Madrid)