Neurotree

Neurotree is a collaborative, online genealogy of neuroscientists. It aims to trace the academic lineage of researchers in the field of neuroscience, primarily through the documentation of mentor-mentee relationships (specifically, thesis advisor-student relationships). Neurotree serves as a searchable database and a networking tool for the neuroscience community.

The primary focus of Neurotree is to map the academic family trees of neuroscientists by linking individuals to their doctoral (or equivalent) advisors and advisees. Information on individuals typically includes their name, institution affiliation, degrees obtained, areas of research interest, and links to their publications (often through integration with external databases like PubMed). Users can navigate through the hierarchical structure of these trees to explore the connections between different researchers and research groups.

The information contained within Neurotree is largely user-contributed and moderated. This crowdsourced approach allows for the expansion and maintenance of the database by members of the neuroscience community. Users can add new individuals, update existing profiles, and correct errors. The accuracy of the data is dependent on the contributions and vigilance of the user base.

Neurotree can be utilized for various purposes, including:

• Identifying research trends and intellectual history: By visualizing the flow of ideas and expertise through academic lineages, users can gain insights into the evolution of specific fields within neuroscience.
• Networking and collaboration: The platform allows researchers to connect with others who share similar academic roots or research interests, potentially fostering new collaborations.
• Career development: Students and early-career researchers can use Neurotree to explore the academic backgrounds of prominent figures in their field and identify potential mentors or research groups.
• Genealogical research (within neuroscience): Similar to genealogical research for families, Neurotree allows users to trace the academic origins of neuroscientists.

Neurotree distinguishes itself from other scientific databases by its emphasis on mentorship relationships as the primary organizing principle, rather than solely focusing on publications or research topics. It provides a unique perspective on the social and intellectual structure of the neuroscience community.