Dr. Heckman’s research focuses on the mechanisms of motor output in both normal and disease states, such as spinal injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His lab uses a broad range of techniques, including intracellular recordings, array recordings of firing patterns, 2-photon imaging, pharmacological manipulations, and behavioral testing. These techniques are applied in in vivo and in vitro animal models. His project aims to systematically study the actions of neuromodulatory systems on motoneurons to understand the effect of these actions on their processing of transient and dynamic inputs. Results from this research will promote understanding of the genesis of rapid movements and the use of transient inputs to identify functional connections in humans in both normal and disease states.