Short Biography
Earl K. Miller is the Picower Professor of Neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has faculty positions in The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. He holds degrees from Kent State University (B.A.) and Princeton University (M.A., Ph.D.) as well as an honorary Doctor of Science from Kent State University.
Professor Miller’s lab investigates the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and consciousness, with a focus on working memory, attention, and executive brain functions. Key contributions include a theory of executive “top-down” control based on prefrontal cortex rule learning and goal maintenance, the discovery of multifunctional “mixed selectivity” neurons, and studies linking brainwave dynamics to cognition and consciousness. The work combines experimental and computational approaches to advance understanding of both healthy cognition and disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Professor Miller has received numerous accolades and serves on advisory boards as well as editorial boards for major neuroscience journals. His 2001 paper with Jonathan Cohen describing a theory of executive control is one of the most cited in the history of neuroscience. Professor Miller has funded the Earl K. Miller First Generation Scholarship at Kent State University to support disadvantaged first-generation college students.
PDF of Earl K. Miller’s Short Biography
Full CV available here
Wiki page / Google Scholar profile/ ResearchGate profile
Earl K. Miller, Ph.D.
Education
| 1990 | Ph.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience Princeton University |
| 1987 | M.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience Princeton University |
| 1985 | B.A. summa cum laude with honors in Psychology Kent State University |
Current Positions
1995 | Picower Professor of Neuroscience The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| 2014 | Co-founder and Chief Scientist SplitSage |
| 2023 | Co-founder Neuroblox |
Awards and Honors
| 2025 | Excellence in Graduate Mentoring, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT |
| 2020 | Doctor of Science (honoris causa), Kent State University |
| 2019 | George A. Miller Prize in Cognitive Neuroscience |
| 2018 | Excellence in Graduate Teaching, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT |
| 2017 | Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences |
| 2017 | Miller and Cohen (2001) identified as the 5th most-cited paper in Neuroscience |
| 2017 | Paul and Lilah Newton Brain Science Award |
| 2016 | Goldman-Rakic Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Cognitive Neuroscience |
| 2016 | Commencement Address Kent State University |
| 2016 | Elected to the Memory Disorders Research Society |
| 2015 | Professional Achievement Award, Kent State University Alumni Association |
| 2014 | Amar G. Bose Research Fellow |
| 2015 | Antzoulatos and Miller (2014) selected as one of Neuron’s best papers of 2014-2015 |
| 2013 | Distinguished Member, National Society of Collegiate Scholars |
| 2010 | MERIT Award, National Institute of Mental Health |
| 2008 | Miller and Cohen (2001) designated a Current Classic by Thomson Scientific |
| 2007 | Mathilde Solowey Award in the Neurosciences |
| 2006 | Elected to the International Neuropsychological Symposium |
| 2005 | Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science |
| 2003 | Picower Professorship (endowed chair) |
| 2002 | Elected to the International Society for Behavioral Neuroscience |
| 2000 | Society for Neuroscience Young Investigator Award |
| 2000 | National Academy of Sciences Troland Research Award |
| 1999 | Tenured at MIT two years ahead of schedule |
| 1999 | Class of 1956 Career Development Professorship (endowed chair) |
| 1998 | John Merck Scholar Award |
| 1996 | Pew Scholar Award |
| 1996 | McKnight Scholar Award |
| 1996 | Whitehall Foundation Fellowship |
| 1996 | Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow |
| 1985 | Graduated summa cum laude with honors, Kent State University |
| 1985 | Phi Beta Kappa |
