NaomiElimelech

Naomi Elimelech (born 1975) is a Canadian neuroscientist recognized for her work on synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. She received her B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Toronto in 1997 and earned a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of British Columbia in 2003 under the supervision of Dr. Peter S. Lund. After completing postdoctoral research at Stanford University, Elimelech joined the faculty at the University of Toronto School of Medicine in 2006.

Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms that underlie memory consolidation and forgetting. In 2012, she published a highly cited paper in Nature Neuroscience demonstrating that the protein kinase CREB is directly regulated by the microRNA miR-132 during neuronal activity. This finding has implications for understanding age‑related cognitive decline. Elimelech has also contributed to the development of optogenetic tools for selective activation of hippocampal circuits.

Elimelech has been awarded the Canada Research Chair in Synaptic Function (2014–2024) and has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Neuroscience. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and regularly collaborates with the Brain Research Institute in Montreal. In addition to her scientific work, she mentors graduate students and advocates for increased funding for basic neuroscience research.