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Science
Updated August 15, 2025
May-Britt Moser
May-Britt Moser is a Norwegian psychologist and neuroscientist who won the Nobel Prize for discovering grid cells in the brain. Her work revolutionized our understanding of spatial navigation and memory.
Born
January 4, 1963
Known For
- Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2014)
- discovery of grid cells in the brain
Notable Facts
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Nobel Prize in Medicine winner
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Brain navigation system discoverer
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Grid cell research pioneer
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Neuroscience and psychology expert
Career Highlights
Background
May-Britt Moser is a Norwegian psychologist and neuroscientist, born on January 4, 1963, in Fosnavåg, Norway. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Oslo in 1990 and completed her Ph.D. in neurophysiology in 1995 under the supervision of Per Andersen. Moser conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Edinburgh and later at University College London, working with Richard Morris. In 1996, she joined the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) as an associate professor, where she co-founded the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in 2007.
Major Contributions
May-Britt Moser is best known for her groundbreaking work on the brain's spatial navigation system. Alongside her then-husband Edvard Moser and mentor John O'Keefe, she discovered grid cells in the entorhinal cortex, which form a hexagonal lattice-like pattern to help mammals navigate their environment. This discovery, made in 2005, complemented O'Keefe's earlier finding of place cells in the hippocampus.
Co-discovered grid cells, which provide a coordinate system for spatial navigation.
Demonstrated how grid cells interact with other cell types (e.g., border cells, head-direction cells) to form a comprehensive neural map.
Contributed to the understanding of how spatial memory and path integration work in the brain.
Impact on Their Field
Moser's work revolutionized neuroscience by revealing the neural mechanisms underlying spatial awareness and memory. Her discoveries provided a foundation for research into neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, where spatial disorientation is a common symptom. The findings earned her the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with Edvard Moser and John O'Keefe. Her research has influenced computational neuroscience, robotics, and artificial intelligence, particularly in developing algorithms for navigation.
Current Work/Relevance
As of 2023, May-Britt Moser continues to lead the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience at NTNU, where her team investigates how grid cells integrate sensory information and how these processes degrade in disease. She remains active in exploring the broader implications of spatial coding, including its role in memory formation and decision-making. Her work maintains relevance in both clinical and technological applications, from improving dementia treatments to advancing AI navigation systems.
May-Britt Moser is a Norwegian psychologist and neuroscientist, born on January 4, 1963, in Fosnavåg, Norway. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Oslo in 1990 and completed her Ph.D. in neurophysiology in 1995 under the supervision of Per Andersen. Moser conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Edinburgh and later at University College London, working with Richard Morris. In 1996, she joined the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) as an associate professor, where she co-founded the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in 2007.
Major Contributions
May-Britt Moser is best known for her groundbreaking work on the brain's spatial navigation system. Alongside her then-husband Edvard Moser and mentor John O'Keefe, she discovered grid cells in the entorhinal cortex, which form a hexagonal lattice-like pattern to help mammals navigate their environment. This discovery, made in 2005, complemented O'Keefe's earlier finding of place cells in the hippocampus.
Impact on Their Field
Moser's work revolutionized neuroscience by revealing the neural mechanisms underlying spatial awareness and memory. Her discoveries provided a foundation for research into neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, where spatial disorientation is a common symptom. The findings earned her the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with Edvard Moser and John O'Keefe. Her research has influenced computational neuroscience, robotics, and artificial intelligence, particularly in developing algorithms for navigation.
Current Work/Relevance
As of 2023, May-Britt Moser continues to lead the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience at NTNU, where her team investigates how grid cells integrate sensory information and how these processes degrade in disease. She remains active in exploring the broader implications of spatial coding, including its role in memory formation and decision-making. Her work maintains relevance in both clinical and technological applications, from improving dementia treatments to advancing AI navigation systems.
Personal Story
Who They Are
May-Britt Moser is a Norwegian psychologist and neuroscientist, best known for her groundbreaking work on how the brain navigates space. Born in 1963 in Fosnavåg, Norway, she grew up in a small farming community before pursuing her passion for science. Alongside her former husband, Edvard Moser, she co-founded the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in Trondheim, where much of her pioneering research took place. Her curiosity about the brain’s inner workings has made her one of the most influential scientists of her time.
Why They Matter
May-Britt Moser’s research revolutionized our understanding of the brain’s navigation system. In 2014, she and Edvard Moser shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with John O’Keefe for their discovery of "grid cells," specialized neurons that help the brain map spatial relationships. This breakthrough not only explained how we navigate but also opened new doors for studying memory and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s. Her work has inspired countless scientists and continues to shape modern neuroscience.
What They’re Known For
May-Britt Moser is most famous for co-discovering grid cells, a key component of the brain’s GPS-like system. Here’s what makes her work stand out:
Grid cells act like a mental map, firing in a hexagonal pattern to help us track our location.
Her research showed how these cells work with other neurons to create a sense of space.
She’s also known for her dedication to mentoring young scientists and advocating for women in STEM.
Her discoveries have been hailed as a milestone in neuroscience, earning her global recognition and a place among science’s greatest minds.
May-Britt Moser is a Norwegian psychologist and neuroscientist, best known for her groundbreaking work on how the brain navigates space. Born in 1963 in Fosnavåg, Norway, she grew up in a small farming community before pursuing her passion for science. Alongside her former husband, Edvard Moser, she co-founded the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in Trondheim, where much of her pioneering research took place. Her curiosity about the brain’s inner workings has made her one of the most influential scientists of her time.
Why They Matter
May-Britt Moser’s research revolutionized our understanding of the brain’s navigation system. In 2014, she and Edvard Moser shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with John O’Keefe for their discovery of "grid cells," specialized neurons that help the brain map spatial relationships. This breakthrough not only explained how we navigate but also opened new doors for studying memory and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s. Her work has inspired countless scientists and continues to shape modern neuroscience.
What They’re Known For
May-Britt Moser is most famous for co-discovering grid cells, a key component of the brain’s GPS-like system. Here’s what makes her work stand out:
Her discoveries have been hailed as a milestone in neuroscience, earning her global recognition and a place among science’s greatest minds.