John O'Keefe

John O'Keefe is a prominent neuroscientist known for his groundbreaking research on how the brain navigates and understands space. In 1971, he discovered "place cells" in the hippocampus, which are neurons that activate when an animal is in a specific location, helping to form a mental map of its environment. This work has significantly advanced our understanding of memory and spatial awareness, contributing to insights into conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. O’Keefe was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2014, alongside two other researchers, recognizing their discoveries related to spatial memory and navigation.