Jesus J. Ballesteros, Ph.D.

About

PhD neuroscientist with 10+ years of international experience across Germany, the United States, and Spain. Specialised in electrophysiology, data analysis, scientific programming, and translational research environments. Proven record of leading complex projects, building automated analytical workflows, and communicating technical results across disciplines. Currently a postdoctoral scientist at the Neural Basis of Learning Lab, Ruhr University Bochum, with prior appointments at the MIT Picower Institute (Miller Lab) and Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School (Dept. of Anesthesia and Critical Care).

Experience

• 2022 – Present

  Postdoctoral Research Scientist

  Neural Basis of Learning Lab · Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

  Designing and managing end-to-end research projects with complex biological and behavioural datasets. Development of in-house 3D-printed modular implants for chronic electrophysiological recordings in avian models. Building automated MATLAB and Python data pipelines. Performing statistical analysis and AI-assisted data visualisation. Supervising students and junior researchers; contributing to teaching and lab-wide standardised analysis workflows.

• 2017 – 2022

  Postdoctoral Affiliated & Fellow

  MIT (Picower Institute · Miller Lab) & MGH / Harvard Medical School, USA

  Analysed large-scale neural and physiological datasets from non-human primates using computational methods. Developed algorithms and scripts for signal processing and feature extraction. Studied anesthesia induction and recovery dynamics across primate neocortex. Collaborated with researchers, clinicians, and engineers across neuroscience and critical care.

• 2015 – 2017

  Postdoctoral Fellow

  Learning and Memory Lab · Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

  In vivo rodent electrophysiology; hippocampal LTP and memory circuits. Statistical analysis, experimental design, and improvement of laboratory procedures.

• 2012 – 2015

  Research Staff Scientist

  Neurophysiology & Synaptic Plasticity Lab · UCLM, Albacete, Spain

  In vitro and in vivo neurophysiology with rodent models. Experimental design, data analysis, quality documentation, and scientific reporting.

Education

• 2022 – Present

  B.A. in Philosophy (ongoing)

  National University at Distance of Spain (UNED), Spain

• 2015

  Ph.D. in Neuroscience

  Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Spain

• 2012

  M.Sc. in Neuroscience

  Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Spain

• 2010

  B.Sc. in Biology

  Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Spain

Selected Publications

1. 2026

   Similar destabilization of neural dynamics under different general anesthetics

   Eisen AJ, Bardon AG, Ballesteros JJ, Bastos AM, Donoghue JA, Mahnke MK, Brincat SB, Roy JE, Ishizawa Y, Brown EN, Fiete IR & Miller EK

   Cell Reports

2. 2025

   Convergent effects of different anesthetics on changes in phase alignment of cortical oscillations

   Bardon AG, Ballesteros JJ, Brincat SL, Roy JE, Mahnke MK, Ishizawa Y, Brown EN & Miller EK

   Cell Reports

3. 2025

   A 3D-printed modular implant for extracellular recordings

   Roders D, Ballesteros JJ, Sevincik CS, Santos Silva S, Burgel L, Abbas B, Neukirch Y, Pusch R & Rose J

   Journal of Neuroscience Methods

4. 2020

   Neural signatures of alpha2-adrenergic agonist-induced unconsciousness and awakening by antagonist

   Ballesteros JJ, Briscoe J & Ishizawa Y

   eLife

5. 2020

   Dynamics of ketamine-induced loss and return of consciousness across primate neocortex

   Ballesteros JJ, Huang P, Patel SR, Eskandar EN & Ishizawa Y

   Anesthesiology

6. 2020

   Dynamics of recovery from anesthesia-induced unconsciousness across primate neocortex

   Patel SR, Ballesteros JJ, Ahmed OJ, Huang P, Briscoe J, Eskandar EN & Ishizawa Y

   Brain

7. 2019

   Helios modulates the maturation of a CA1 neuronal subpopulation required for spatial memory formation

   Giralt A, Brito V, Pardo M, ... Ballesteros JJ, ... & Canals JM

   Experimental Neurology

8. 2019

   Proteolytic degradation of hippocampal STEP61 in LTP and learning

   Saavedra A, Ballesteros JJ, Tyebji S, Martinez-Torres S, ... & Perez-Navarro E

   Molecular Neurobiology

9. 2016

   Activity-dependent switch of GABAergic inhibition into glutamatergic excitation in astrocyte-neuron networks

   Perea G, Gomez R, Mederos S, ... Ballesteros JJ, ... & Araque A

   eLife

10. 2016

    Afferent Input Selects NMDA Receptor Subtype to Determine the Persistency of Hippocampal LTP in Freely Behaving Mice

    Ballesteros JJ, Buschler A, Kohr G & Manahan-Vaughan D

    Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience

11. 2016

    Caffeine-mediated BDNF release regulates long-term synaptic plasticity through activation of IRS2 signaling

    Lao-Petregin C,* Ballesteros JJ,* ... & Martin ED (*co-first authors)

    Addiction Biology

12. 2015

    A role for Kalirin-7 in corticostriatal synaptic dysfunction in Huntington's disease

    Puigdellivol M, Cherubini M, ... Ballesteros JJ, ... & Gines S

    Human Molecular Genetics

13. 2014

    Neurotrophin receptor p75NTR mediates Huntington's disease-associated synaptic and memory dysfunction

    Brito V, Giralt A, ... Ballesteros JJ, ... & Gines S

    Journal of Clinical Investigation

14. 2013

    Inflammation-induced hyperalgesia and spinal microglia reactivity in neonatal rats

    Vega-Avelaira D, Ballesteros JJ & Lopez-Garcia JA

    European Journal of Pain

Full list → Google Scholar  ·  ORCID: 0000-0003-2162-5117

Skills