Meet 2026 Award Recipient
Christina Maher
Christina came to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai as a Neuroscience PhD candidate, where she studies how humans simplify complex information using computational cognitive modeling and direct brain recordings in neurosurgical patients. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology, with concentrations in Behavioral Neuroscience and Health Studies, from Fairfield University, and a Master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience from University College London. Throughout her training, she has been driven by a central question: how does human experience shape our beliefs and behavior?
During her time at Mount Sinai, Christina developed novel methods combining computational modeling with intracranial recordings to decode latent cognitive processes, such as attention, from behavior and neural activity. Her work has advanced understanding of how orbitofrontal and prefrontal circuits support adaptive decision-making, and has resulted in multiple conference presentations and manuscripts in preparation.
Christina has also been deeply committed to mentorship, science communication, and outreach. She has taught neuroscience to New York City high school students through the Mount Sinai Center for Excellence in Youth Education Teaching Fellowship, led initiatives to increase representation in neuroscience as Co-President of MINDs, Mount Sinai’s largest student-run outreach organization, and served as a teaching assistant for a graduate-level course in effective science communication. She has additionally contributed to building connections between academic and industry communities in neurotechnology as Head of Academic Partnerships at NeuroNYC.
Christina would like to thank her mentors, colleagues, friends, and family for their support and inspiration throughout her PhD journey.
Christina is honored to receive the Outstanding Research in Neuroscience Award and looks forward to applying the skills and perspectives she has developed at Mount Sinai, alongside her passion for experimentation and scientific inquiry, to continue understanding how our experiences shape who we are.