Dr. Ebner was the inaugural Head of the Department of Neuroscience. Originally a faculty member in the Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Ebner was tasked in 1999 to lead the newly created Department of Neuroscience, combining faculty from the Department of Physiology and the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. Through his steady stewardship, dedicated leadership, thoughtful communication, and an innate ability to form partnerships, the Department of Neuroscience quickly formed into a cohesive group. Over the last 25 years, the department has grown in both size and prestige, becoming one of the top neuroscience departments in the country.
Dr. Ebner’s commitment to the University of Minnesota is without question. He is admired by the staff, students, and faculty and has set the standard for those who aspire to become leaders. His council has been sought after due to his thoughtful and insightful approach to the complex landscape of academia. Undergraduate and Medical School education at the University of Minnesota has advanced under his stewardship. Ever humble, Dr. Ebner promoted the success of his faculty and department over any self-aggrandizement.
While Dr. Ebner has stepped down as Head, he continues to lead his state-of-the-art research program, enjoying multiple scientific pursuits. Dr. Ebner is a pioneer in the field of neurophysiology, particularly focusing on the cerebellum and locomotor behavior. His laboratory aims to understand how single neurons, as well as populations of neurons, encode information required for planning and executing movements. His studies combine electrophysiology with ultramodern imaging methods that allow simultaneous measurements across hundreds of cells. By additionally employing new analytical and statistical techniques, his team is uncovering how neuronal activity within the brain shapes behavior in both healthy and disease states.
This Medical School and I owe a debt of gratitude. Thank you, Dr. Ebner, for your extraordinary contributations to the school and practice of medicine and your unwavering commitment to advancing medical science. You leave a lasting legacy that will have an impact for years to come.
Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD
Dean of the Medical School
