Catherine Thorn: Engineer by Training, Neuroscientist by Passion

Assistant Professor Dr. Catherine Thorn’s path to neuroscience was shaped by her background in engineering. 

Raised in Granbury, Texas, as the daughter of a mechanical engineer, Thorn initially followed in her father’s footsteps, earning a BS in electrical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MS and PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It was during graduate school that she was first exposed to neuroscience through coursework and research opportunities, which led her to discover an interest in the electrical signaling processes within the body. 

“I tried to figure out where my interests in electrical engineering lay, and it turned out to be biological applications—specifically, the study of electrical signaling in the body,” Thorn said. “My transition from being an electrical engineer to becoming a neuroscientist was gradual during my training. Electrophysiology and the biological applications were really, really interesting. And then, the health-related fields and the ability to help people made it a good fit for me.” 

At UT Dallas, Thorn leads the Motor and Habit Learning Lab, which focuses on understanding how people acquire motor skills and develop everyday motor habits. Her research examines the mechanisms that support learning in a healthy brain, as well as dysfunctions that occur due to neural injury or disease. 

“When I arrived here, I started looking at the mechanisms of vagus nerve stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation-induced plasticity in the motor system,” she said. “My interests throughout my training have been in motor learning and motor plasticity and in neuromodulatory mechanisms of motor learning.” 

Her background in engineering continues to influence her work.  

“The reason that I ended up in the motor system, I think, is because of the engineering background,” Thorn said. “The motor system is really beautifully described by some elegant mathematical theories and how we move and learn can be modeled by engineering and math. As I was transitioning into neuroscience, it just really captured my imagination that way.” 

Beyond research, Thorn is passionate about teaching and mentoring students. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in neuroscience, covering topics such as neurophysiology, systems neuroscience, and health disparities in neural health. Her courses provide students with a deep understanding of neural mechanisms, the impact of social factors on neurological health, and the latest research methodologies in neuroscience. 

“One of my favorite aspects of my job is seeing my students succeed,” she said. “It’s wonderful to help them achieve their academic goals and launch successful scientific careers.” 

Thorn is one of five BBS faculty members joining the newest cohort of UT Dallas endowed chairs and professors. She will receive the Fellow, Eugene McDermott Distinguished Professorship. 

The McDermott Professorships recognize and honor outstanding UT Dallas tenure-system faculty members in the earlier stages of their academic careers. This appointment provides early career support and recognition to faculty members who have established extraordinary records of research productivity, teaching excellence, and university service. 

The professorship honors Eugene McDermott – a scientist, industrialist, and philanthropist who co-founded Texas Instruments and UT Dallas.   Endowed chairs and professorships are the highest academic award the University can bestow on a faculty member. The endowments, funded through philanthropic donations, fund initiatives that advance research and instructional programs. UT Dallas has more than 175 chairs and professorships, with several established by or honoring the University’s founders and early leaders.