We study brain processes underlying touch & pain perception in humans using non-invasive brain imaging techniques. In animals we combine imaging, electrophysiology and mathematical models of neuronal networks. The objective is to understand the brain dynamics of touch & pain perception and apply this knowledge to alleviate human suffering, especially by advancing new clinical approaches to cure chronic pain.
A. Vania Apkarian, PhD

Dr. Apkarian has studied pain for two decades, both in animal models and fMRI studies in humans. His current interests include cortical dynamics of pain as well as brain plasticity. His overall goal is the uncovering of brain mechanisms underlying PAIN QUALIA. This work aims to alleviate clinical pain conditions and achieve a more profound theoretical and mechanistic understanding of the brain.
Contact Dr. Apkarian at: a-apkarian@northwestern.edu
Lab Members
Current Lab Members
- A. Vania Apkarian, PhD
- Tom Schnitzer, MD, Ph.D.
- Marwan Baliki, PhD
- Maria Virginia Centeno
- Lejian Huang, PhD
- Jannis Bielefeld
- Diane Reckziegel
- Paulo Branco
- Andrew, PhD
Off-Site Collaborators
- Beth G Hunt
- Melissa Farmer, PhD
- Etienne Vachon-Presseau
- Alex Baria, PhD
- Adriana del Rey
- Hugo Besedovsky
- Guillermo Cecchi
- Ze’ev Seltzer
- Marco Martina
- Oscar Calvo
- Pedro Montoya
Past Lab Members
- Mariam E Ghantous, MD
- Sara Berger, PhD
- Bogdan Petre
- Pascal Tetreault, PhD
- Qiyuan Bao
- Don A. Davis
- Pei-Ching Chang
- Amelia Mutso, PhD
- Souraya Torbey, MD
- Kristi Herrmann
- Ali Mansour, MD
- Elle Parks
- Javeria Hashmi
- Mona Lisa Chandra
- Nate Delange
- Dante Chialvo
- Paul Geha
- Hector Hugo Berra
- Johannes Bruggermann
- Jennifer Foss
- Pat Genlar
- Igor D. Grachev
- Chandra Ivey
- Rami Jabakhanji
- Youngsoo Kim
- Beth Krauss
- Simona Lavarello
- Ed Matyas
- Magali Millecamps
- Christine Mugo
- Chuck Ruddick
- Britta Serog
- Ting Shi
- Yamaya Sosa
- Nikolaus Szeverenyi