Pedro Pinheiro-Chagas, PhD, is an assistant professor of neuroscience in the UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center and the UCSF Dyslexia Center, both within the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. He studies the neural architecture and dynamics of human intelligence, with a focus on symbolic cognitive systems, including mathematics and language. His research explores how these systems develop, decline, and can be supported through innovative methods.
Dr. Pinheiro-Chagas combines machine learning, computational modeling, electrophysiological recordings (intracranial EEG, MEG), neuroimaging (fMRI), continuous behavioral measures (trajectory-tracking), and neuropsychology to study the processing stages and representational codes underlying cognitive operations. He also utilizes intracranial electrical stimulation to modulate brain activity and behavior, providing valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying cognition. Recently, his team has been developing artificial intelligence-driven models to predict and characterize neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions, with the goal of improving diagnostics and interventions.
Dr. Pinheiro-Chagas earned his PhD in neuroscience from Sorbonne University/CEA-NeuroSpin in Paris, France, where he worked with Stanislas Dehaene. He completed his undergraduate degree in psychology and cognitive science, as well as his master’s degree in neuroscience, at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Following his doctoral training, Dr. Pinheiro-Chagas conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University in the Human Intracranial Cognitive Electrophysiology Program under the guidance of Josef Parvizi, refining his expertise in neurophysiology and cognitive science.
At UCSF, Dr. Pinheiro-Chagas is committed to advancing understanding of human intelligence by bridging neuroscience, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence. His work aims to uncover how cognitive systems operate, adapt, and decline, with the ultimate goal of developing tools and strategies to support individuals with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions.