"I was working with my student, exploring various approaches, when suddenly everything clicked, and it was like a 'wow' moment."

This is how Duda Kvitsiani describes one of the key discoveries he made during his time as Group Leader at DANDRITE. A decade ago, he was among the pioneering group leaders benefiting from a generous startup package and, notably, the research freedom every scientist desires.

"I conducted experiments here that would have been impossible elsewhere. In many places, research is confined to narrow topics, but here, no boundaries were limiting our exploration, and that has had a profound impact," explains Duda Kvitsiani.

Discovering how our brain makes (good) decisions

So, what has Duda accomplished over the past decade?

One of his most significant discoveries involves understanding how the brain operates during decision-making. Specifically, Duda Kvitsiani has elucidated how the brain stores memories of past rewards, events, and actions. This capability enables humans to make informed decisions in the future.

"Simply put, our research focuses on deciphering how the brain facilitates optimal decision-making when seeking rewarding outcomes, such as food or the like," he explains. "Our brain effectively tracks past rewards and actions to maximize future gains."

Duda's breakthroughs have profoundly impacted neuroscience by providing the first circuit-level explanation of brain function in decision-making. His insights into the role of the prefrontal cortex in integrating past experiences to guide future actions are invaluable.

"These insights are crucial for understanding how our brains process complex sequences of events to optimize future behaviours," he adds. "Moreover, they offer promising avenues for diagnosing and treating disorders marked by impaired decision-making and reward processing, such as depression and schizophrenia."

From DK to a new life in the States

This summer he enters a new stage in his career, leaving Denmark and DANDRITE behind to embark on a new scientific adventure in the United States, specifically at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Finally, he has the opportunity to have a daily life with his wife, from whom he has been separated for the last ten years.

"No doubt, it has been tough to be apart, travelling back and forth between Denmark and the States, but undoubtedly, it has been very impactful for my future scientific research," Duda states, and adds:

"Discoveries like these are rare, but investing in research with an open mind ultimately yields breakthroughs," he concludes.