Steve Ramirez
@okaysteve.bsky.social
Professor of neuroscience at Boston University
Pinned
Steve Ramirez
@okaysteve.bsky.social
· Sep 8
How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past
Buy How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders
www.amazon.com
Good morning everyone!
So, I wrote a book (!!) and it’s coming out November 4th in physical and audiobook form. It’s called *How to Change a Memory*
www.amazon.com/How-Change-M...
So, I wrote a book (!!) and it’s coming out November 4th in physical and audiobook form. It’s called *How to Change a Memory*
www.amazon.com/How-Change-M...
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Starting 2026 with a thread a very recent manuscripts at Ryan Lab @tcddublin.bsky.social @tbsi-tcd.bsky.social
"Extinction and subsequent updating of innate fear responses to a visual looming stimulus rely on hippocampus-dependent mechanisms"
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
@PLOSBiology
"Extinction and subsequent updating of innate fear responses to a visual looming stimulus rely on hippocampus-dependent mechanisms"
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
@PLOSBiology
Extinction and subsequent updating of innate fear responses to a visual looming stimulus rely on hippocampus-dependent mechanisms
How does the brain balance innate responses with adaptive learning when reacting to threats? This study shows that repeated exposure to looming stimuli reduces innate defensive responses via hippocamp...
journals.plos.org
January 2, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Starting 2026 with a thread a very recent manuscripts at Ryan Lab @tcddublin.bsky.social @tbsi-tcd.bsky.social
"Extinction and subsequent updating of innate fear responses to a visual looming stimulus rely on hippocampus-dependent mechanisms"
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
@PLOSBiology
"Extinction and subsequent updating of innate fear responses to a visual looming stimulus rely on hippocampus-dependent mechanisms"
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
@PLOSBiology
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
I was asked to do an impromptu "Ask an Expert" radio interview on memory manipulation as a therapeutic for PTSD and Alzheimer's. The topic was prompted by @okaysteve.bsky.social recent book. Have a listen if interested! www.audacy.com/podcast/kcbs...
www.audacy.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I was asked to do an impromptu "Ask an Expert" radio interview on memory manipulation as a therapeutic for PTSD and Alzheimer's. The topic was prompted by @okaysteve.bsky.social recent book. Have a listen if interested! www.audacy.com/podcast/kcbs...
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Interested in the latest advances in neuroscience (neural dynamics and internal models) and how they can be leveraged to build smarter, adaptive AI?
➡️ My first real solo piece 🖤🫶 @natneuro.nature.com
rdcu.be/eWVmA
➡️ My first real solo piece 🖤🫶 @natneuro.nature.com
rdcu.be/eWVmA
Leveraging insights from neuroscience to build adaptive artificial intelligence
Nature Neuroscience - Adaptive intelligence envisions AI that, like animals, learns online, generalizes and adapts quickly. This Perspective reviews biological foundations, progress in AI and...
rdcu.be
December 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Interested in the latest advances in neuroscience (neural dynamics and internal models) and how they can be leveraged to build smarter, adaptive AI?
➡️ My first real solo piece 🖤🫶 @natneuro.nature.com
rdcu.be/eWVmA
➡️ My first real solo piece 🖤🫶 @natneuro.nature.com
rdcu.be/eWVmA
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Join us on 30 January as three rising stars— Jie Zheng, @marissascavuzzo.bsky.social and @drnancypadilla.bsky.social—sit down with @franciscorr25.bsky.social for a conversation exploring where the field of neuroscience is headed and how their work is helping to drive it forward.
#neuroskyence
#neuroskyence
🧠 Some of science’s greatest unanswered questions center around the human brain. Join us on 1/30 for free Presents event: “Shaping the Future of Neuroscience,” featuring three of @thetransmitter.bsky.social Rising Stars. https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/shaping-the-future-of-neuroscience/
Shaping the Future of Neuroscience
Shaping the Future of Neuroscience on Simons Foundation
www.simonsfoundation.org
January 9, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Join us on 30 January as three rising stars— Jie Zheng, @marissascavuzzo.bsky.social and @drnancypadilla.bsky.social—sit down with @franciscorr25.bsky.social for a conversation exploring where the field of neuroscience is headed and how their work is helping to drive it forward.
#neuroskyence
#neuroskyence
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Tomorrow (January 7th) at 6:30pm EST, please join Smithsonian Associates for a virtual event with @okaysteve.bsky.social, author of How to Change a Memory! Come hear him discuss his groundbreaking research into memory manipulation and the ethics of its use.
Grab your ticket now! buff.ly/2aveW3u
Grab your ticket now! buff.ly/2aveW3u
January 6, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Tomorrow (January 7th) at 6:30pm EST, please join Smithsonian Associates for a virtual event with @okaysteve.bsky.social, author of How to Change a Memory! Come hear him discuss his groundbreaking research into memory manipulation and the ethics of its use.
Grab your ticket now! buff.ly/2aveW3u
Grab your ticket now! buff.ly/2aveW3u
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
14. [last of 2025!] HOW TO CHANGE A MEMORY (Steve Ramirez @okaysteve.bsky.social). a great read - my favourite form of 'scientist writes a book'; a light touch on the sciencey nitty-gritty + much personal history and a moving narrative surrounding Steve's own mentorship from his late labmate Xu Liu
December 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
14. [last of 2025!] HOW TO CHANGE A MEMORY (Steve Ramirez @okaysteve.bsky.social). a great read - my favourite form of 'scientist writes a book'; a light touch on the sciencey nitty-gritty + much personal history and a moving narrative surrounding Steve's own mentorship from his late labmate Xu Liu
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Next week, on January 7th at 6:30pm EST, please join Smithsonian Associates for a virtual event with @okaysteve.bsky.social, author of How to Change a Memory! Come hear him discuss his groundbreaking research into memory manipulation and the ethics of its use.
Grab your ticket now! buff.ly/2aveW3u
Grab your ticket now! buff.ly/2aveW3u
January 2, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Next week, on January 7th at 6:30pm EST, please join Smithsonian Associates for a virtual event with @okaysteve.bsky.social, author of How to Change a Memory! Come hear him discuss his groundbreaking research into memory manipulation and the ethics of its use.
Grab your ticket now! buff.ly/2aveW3u
Grab your ticket now! buff.ly/2aveW3u
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
New paper from @ykneurores.bsky.social in our lab 📢
We show body size predicts defensive behavioral strategy; smaller animals adopt active avoidance, larger ones favor freezing, while sex and age don’t drive the effect. A clear demonstration that traits matter.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We show body size predicts defensive behavioral strategy; smaller animals adopt active avoidance, larger ones favor freezing, while sex and age don’t drive the effect. A clear demonstration that traits matter.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Body size predicts the selection of defensive behavioral strategies
Survival depends on the ability to respond appropriately to threats, yet the selection of defensive behaviors varies among individuals with distinct b…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:32 AM
New paper from @ykneurores.bsky.social in our lab 📢
We show body size predicts defensive behavioral strategy; smaller animals adopt active avoidance, larger ones favor freezing, while sex and age don’t drive the effect. A clear demonstration that traits matter.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We show body size predicts defensive behavioral strategy; smaller animals adopt active avoidance, larger ones favor freezing, while sex and age don’t drive the effect. A clear demonstration that traits matter.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Don’t miss out on the chance to present at #OptoGRC2026!
Apply to attend and submit a poster abstract to be considered for an oral presentation during the conference 🎤
Early applications are strongly encouraged! 🔽
www.grc.org/optogenetic-...
Apply to attend and submit a poster abstract to be considered for an oral presentation during the conference 🎤
Early applications are strongly encouraged! 🔽
www.grc.org/optogenetic-...
December 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Don’t miss out on the chance to present at #OptoGRC2026!
Apply to attend and submit a poster abstract to be considered for an oral presentation during the conference 🎤
Early applications are strongly encouraged! 🔽
www.grc.org/optogenetic-...
Apply to attend and submit a poster abstract to be considered for an oral presentation during the conference 🎤
Early applications are strongly encouraged! 🔽
www.grc.org/optogenetic-...
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Just finished this thrilling, vulnerable, and inspiring book on friendship, loss, addiction, resilience, and editing memories by Prof Steve Ramirez. Neuroscientists and neuroscience enthusiasts should enjoy this one.
December 22, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Just finished this thrilling, vulnerable, and inspiring book on friendship, loss, addiction, resilience, and editing memories by Prof Steve Ramirez. Neuroscientists and neuroscience enthusiasts should enjoy this one.
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
🎙️ON AIR:
We're talking to @okaysteve.bsky.social about his groundbreaking work with mice — turning memories on and off, even implanting new ones — and the ethical questions it raises.
❓What are your questions about the science of memory manipulation?
📻 Listen:
We're talking to @okaysteve.bsky.social about his groundbreaking work with mice — turning memories on and off, even implanting new ones — and the ethical questions it raises.
❓What are your questions about the science of memory manipulation?
📻 Listen:
Would You Erase a Painful Memory, if You Could? | KQED
Airdate: Monday, December 8 at 10 AM In groundbreaking experiments with mice, Boston University neuroscientist Steve Ramirez has succeeded in turning memories on and off, even implanting new ones. He…
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
🎙️ON AIR:
We're talking to @okaysteve.bsky.social about his groundbreaking work with mice — turning memories on and off, even implanting new ones — and the ethical questions it raises.
❓What are your questions about the science of memory manipulation?
📻 Listen:
We're talking to @okaysteve.bsky.social about his groundbreaking work with mice — turning memories on and off, even implanting new ones — and the ethical questions it raises.
❓What are your questions about the science of memory manipulation?
📻 Listen:
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
(1/6) We have a new paper out in #eNeuro!
How does the brain’s reward processing change across social contexts? We mapped brain activity (cFos) & found that social context reshapes how reward circuits are coordinated🐭🏆
Read more: www.eneuro.org/content/12/1...
How does the brain’s reward processing change across social contexts? We mapped brain activity (cFos) & found that social context reshapes how reward circuits are coordinated🐭🏆
Read more: www.eneuro.org/content/12/1...
December 3, 2025 at 8:22 PM
(1/6) We have a new paper out in #eNeuro!
How does the brain’s reward processing change across social contexts? We mapped brain activity (cFos) & found that social context reshapes how reward circuits are coordinated🐭🏆
Read more: www.eneuro.org/content/12/1...
How does the brain’s reward processing change across social contexts? We mapped brain activity (cFos) & found that social context reshapes how reward circuits are coordinated🐭🏆
Read more: www.eneuro.org/content/12/1...
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Introducing co-vice chair @gisellavetere.bsky.social!
Gisella is a team leader at @espciparispsl.bsky.social and is most excited about the immersive exchange and new ideas #OptoGRC2026 will inspire.
Fun fact: when she’s not studying neurons, you can find her spinning on a pole 💃💪
Gisella is a team leader at @espciparispsl.bsky.social and is most excited about the immersive exchange and new ideas #OptoGRC2026 will inspire.
Fun fact: when she’s not studying neurons, you can find her spinning on a pole 💃💪
December 3, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Introducing co-vice chair @gisellavetere.bsky.social!
Gisella is a team leader at @espciparispsl.bsky.social and is most excited about the immersive exchange and new ideas #OptoGRC2026 will inspire.
Fun fact: when she’s not studying neurons, you can find her spinning on a pole 💃💪
Gisella is a team leader at @espciparispsl.bsky.social and is most excited about the immersive exchange and new ideas #OptoGRC2026 will inspire.
Fun fact: when she’s not studying neurons, you can find her spinning on a pole 💃💪
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
@okaysteve.bsky.social's How to Change a Memory is out now!
In this book, Ramirez draws on his own memories to reveal how memory can be turned on & off like a switch, edited, & even constructed from nothing.
Explore a free sample: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
#Neuroscience #Memory
In this book, Ramirez draws on his own memories to reveal how memory can be turned on & off like a switch, edited, & even constructed from nothing.
Explore a free sample: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
#Neuroscience #Memory
December 1, 2025 at 7:03 PM
@okaysteve.bsky.social's How to Change a Memory is out now!
In this book, Ramirez draws on his own memories to reveal how memory can be turned on & off like a switch, edited, & even constructed from nothing.
Explore a free sample: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
#Neuroscience #Memory
In this book, Ramirez draws on his own memories to reveal how memory can be turned on & off like a switch, edited, & even constructed from nothing.
Explore a free sample: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
#Neuroscience #Memory
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
🚨 Reminder: Applications for #OptoGRC2026 are now OPEN!
Don’t miss your chance to join an incredible week of science, discovery, and connection with the brightest minds in optogenetics 💡🧠
Apply now for the best chance of acceptance: www.grc.org/optogenetic-...
Don’t miss your chance to join an incredible week of science, discovery, and connection with the brightest minds in optogenetics 💡🧠
Apply now for the best chance of acceptance: www.grc.org/optogenetic-...
November 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
🚨 Reminder: Applications for #OptoGRC2026 are now OPEN!
Don’t miss your chance to join an incredible week of science, discovery, and connection with the brightest minds in optogenetics 💡🧠
Apply now for the best chance of acceptance: www.grc.org/optogenetic-...
Don’t miss your chance to join an incredible week of science, discovery, and connection with the brightest minds in optogenetics 💡🧠
Apply now for the best chance of acceptance: www.grc.org/optogenetic-...
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
So excited to see our latest paper out today in @natcomms.nature.com! Studies led by the amazing @margestelzner.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41.... VTA GABA neurons have a unique role in economic decision making - they integrate reward seeking motivation and the current cost of seeking
Ventral tegmental area GABA neurons integrate positive and negative valence - Nature Communications
The role of ventral tegmental area GABA neurons in behavior is unclear. Here, authors show that VTA GABA but not dopamine neurons integrate positive and negative valence to encode motivational conflic...
www.nature.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM
So excited to see our latest paper out today in @natcomms.nature.com! Studies led by the amazing @margestelzner.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41.... VTA GABA neurons have a unique role in economic decision making - they integrate reward seeking motivation and the current cost of seeking
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
"I hope that the wearing-my-humanity-on-my-sleeves part at least continues to normalize the process of 'You’re going to have great days, and you’re going to have atrocious days in life.'"
It does, @okaysteve.bsky.social. It really does.
(via @undark.org)
undark.org/2025/10/29/i...
It does, @okaysteve.bsky.social. It really does.
(via @undark.org)
undark.org/2025/10/29/i...
How Memories Might Be Used to Help Heal the Brain
In a new book, Steve Ramirez explores the potential of memory manipulation to ease depression and other afflictions.
undark.org
November 21, 2025 at 11:55 PM
"I hope that the wearing-my-humanity-on-my-sleeves part at least continues to normalize the process of 'You’re going to have great days, and you’re going to have atrocious days in life.'"
It does, @okaysteve.bsky.social. It really does.
(via @undark.org)
undark.org/2025/10/29/i...
It does, @okaysteve.bsky.social. It really does.
(via @undark.org)
undark.org/2025/10/29/i...
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
It's time to meet your #OptoGRC2026 chairs!
Co-vice chair @tinakim-neuro.bsky.social is an assistant professor at @princeton.edu who spent the summer building a van for weekend adventures 🚐✨
She's most looking forward to meeting new people & exploring areas outside of her usual wheelhouse!
Co-vice chair @tinakim-neuro.bsky.social is an assistant professor at @princeton.edu who spent the summer building a van for weekend adventures 🚐✨
She's most looking forward to meeting new people & exploring areas outside of her usual wheelhouse!
November 20, 2025 at 7:23 PM
It's time to meet your #OptoGRC2026 chairs!
Co-vice chair @tinakim-neuro.bsky.social is an assistant professor at @princeton.edu who spent the summer building a van for weekend adventures 🚐✨
She's most looking forward to meeting new people & exploring areas outside of her usual wheelhouse!
Co-vice chair @tinakim-neuro.bsky.social is an assistant professor at @princeton.edu who spent the summer building a van for weekend adventures 🚐✨
She's most looking forward to meeting new people & exploring areas outside of her usual wheelhouse!
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Thank you, @thetransmitter.bsky.social, for including me on the list of Rising Stars in Neuroscience along with so many other spectacular neuroscientists! It is an honor to receive this recognition!
November 18, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Thank you, @thetransmitter.bsky.social, for including me on the list of Rising Stars in Neuroscience along with so many other spectacular neuroscientists! It is an honor to receive this recognition!
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
"The idea of activating a memory? Very 'Total Recall' with a bit of 'Inception' thrown in. We felt like kids again, and our playground was the science lab." Read a full excerpt from "How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist's Quest to Alter the Past." 📚
Two Neuroscientists Envision A ‘Repair Shop’ For The Brain
In “How to Change a Memory,” neuroscientist Steve Ramirez embarks on a project to find and reactivate memories in the brains of mice.
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 1:24 AM
"The idea of activating a memory? Very 'Total Recall' with a bit of 'Inception' thrown in. We felt like kids again, and our playground was the science lab." Read a full excerpt from "How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist's Quest to Alter the Past." 📚
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Meditations on memory | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
It was an honour to review @okaysteve.bsky.social ’s How to Change a Memory for Science. The book speaks for itself, bold, inspiring, and full of soul. I’m just proud to highlight the incredible work behind it. So proud of you, Steve
It was an honour to review @okaysteve.bsky.social ’s How to Change a Memory for Science. The book speaks for itself, bold, inspiring, and full of soul. I’m just proud to highlight the incredible work behind it. So proud of you, Steve
Meditations on memory
A neuroscientist presents an intimate portrait of engram research
www.science.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Meditations on memory | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
It was an honour to review @okaysteve.bsky.social ’s How to Change a Memory for Science. The book speaks for itself, bold, inspiring, and full of soul. I’m just proud to highlight the incredible work behind it. So proud of you, Steve
It was an honour to review @okaysteve.bsky.social ’s How to Change a Memory for Science. The book speaks for itself, bold, inspiring, and full of soul. I’m just proud to highlight the incredible work behind it. So proud of you, Steve
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
At the pre #SfN @storiesofwin.bsky.social Symposium. Inspiring, entertaining, motivating, and encouraging to hear all these honest stories from these women scientists who truly are making an impact on their environment and science in general.
November 15, 2025 at 6:56 PM
At the pre #SfN @storiesofwin.bsky.social Symposium. Inspiring, entertaining, motivating, and encouraging to hear all these honest stories from these women scientists who truly are making an impact on their environment and science in general.
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
November 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
Check out this book from a neuroscientist studying the creation (and manipulation) of memory, a truly sci-fi level of science! I can only imagine this may be of interest to the type of folks who follow me:
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
November 14, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Check out this book from a neuroscientist studying the creation (and manipulation) of memory, a truly sci-fi level of science! I can only imagine this may be of interest to the type of folks who follow me:
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Reposted by Steve Ramirez
In today's podcast, Dr. Steve Ramirez - Boston U (@okaysteve.bsky.social) says memory manipulation in mice is #Inception & #Severance type manipulations. What??? He also shares that memory & imagination light up the same #brain regions.
Catch it all at www.sciencefriday.com/segments/how...
Catch it all at www.sciencefriday.com/segments/how...
Memories Change. But Can We Change Them On Purpose?
Neuroscientists are manipulating memories in mice in an effort to develop treatments for brain disorders.
www.sciencefriday.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
In today's podcast, Dr. Steve Ramirez - Boston U (@okaysteve.bsky.social) says memory manipulation in mice is #Inception & #Severance type manipulations. What??? He also shares that memory & imagination light up the same #brain regions.
Catch it all at www.sciencefriday.com/segments/how...
Catch it all at www.sciencefriday.com/segments/how...