Walter Lerchner

Background

About Walter Lerchner

Development of molecular tools to monitor and modulate neural activity for the purpose of primary research and therapeutic treatments. Working on a Framework for the evolution of identities and personality. Alternatively, meditating on how brain and mind work or trying to be in meditation (aesthetic harmony with the universe). Since joining NIMH in 2007, I have collaborated with neurosurgeons on gene therapy techniques, with basic researchers exploring primate neural circuits in behavioral studies, and more recently, on computational analysis of the connection between reward/value behavior and brain activity via neural manifolds. In May 2025, I started a collaboration with the Leonardo Centre at the Imperial College London Business School, applying a framework on identity development and my understanding of system dynamics to the maturity evolution of companies and corporations. This has led to my inclusion in their Research Advisory Committee to help guide future research directions. My passion lies in designing innovative tools and theoretical frameworks that enable deeper inquiry into complex systems and result in insights that tangibly improve human life.