The Star-Ledger has named Julian Keenan ’91 (Psychology), g ’94 (Psychology) among the “Biggest Brains of New Jersey” in a feature story on nj.com. He was among 20 intellects included on the “N.J. Brainpower List.”
Founder and director of Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory, Montclair State University, Keenan was recognized for his research “on topics in which experimentation has been typically difficult, including deception, self-awareness and the overlap between sense of self and sense of others. In trying to discover which neural networks are responsible for these traits, Keenan uses creative techniques on volunteer subjects including noninvasive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to inhibit or activate specific brain areas.”
In an interview that aired on National Public Radio on Feb. 17, Keenan discussed his work, focusing on observations he has made about decision-making processes and the existence of free will. Many of these ideas are further explored in his latest book, The Face in the Mirror. Listen to the interview at http://ttbook.org/book/neuroscience-self.