Hello

My name is Guy Shpak, I am a neuroscientist passionate about how common practices, and specifically martial arts practice, modify our brain and behaviour. I obtained my master's and Ph.D. in neurophysiology, researching how the brain codes social information conveyed by the olfactory system. As a postdoctoral researcher at the Erasmus Medical Center psychiatry department in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, I investigated the neurophysiology of mental disorders. I expanded my educational experience as a senior lecturer and course coordinator at the Life Sciences department of the Erasmus University College.

Next to my academic education, I learned Chinese medicine and Shiatsu, NLP, photography, and more. I regularly meditate, dip in ice, and cycle to keep my body and mind recharged and balanced.

I deeply believe that by understanding the physiological nature of our mental world, we can improve our lives and support others around us. Mind-body methodologies should be analyzed accordingly and used to support every individual.

The martial arts angle

My way in the world of martial arts started at the age of 12 and has never stopped since, lasting over three decades now. Throughout the years, I learned and taught Karate, Krav-maga, Tai chi, several Kung-fu styles, and more. Nowadays, I try to integrate all this knowledge and find the common threads that connect it all. In recent years, I have been doing my best to combine two passions of mine, neuroscience and martial arts, out of the belief that this combination can be used for the good of all humanity, being both immensely deep and practical.
I currently hold a 3rd dan degree in Shito-Ryu Karate and teach Krav Maga to different groups.

Publications

Non-academic publications

An interview for the Albanian CNN A2 morning show about the International Women's Day and martial arts - Link
An interview about science, martial arts, and communal responsibility; NIW 20, 23/02/2024

Academic peer-reviewed publications

Mind-Set Framework affiliated publications

“Being the finger pointing to the moon: how martial arts can provide a holistic perspective on teachers' role in tackling sustainability challenges”, Frontiers in Education, 07 August 2023.

Previous scientific publications

“Human pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocyte functionality compares favourably to primary rat astrocytes”, eNeuro, 3 Sep. 2024.
“Synthetic Polymers Provide a Robust Substrate for Functional Neuron Culture”, Advanced Healthcare Materials, Jan 15, 2020.
“Activity-dependent myelination of parvalbumin interneurons mediated by axonal morphological plasticity”, Journal of Neuroscience, Mar 5, 2018.
“Candidate CSPG4 mutations and induced pluripotent stem cell modeling implicate oligodendrocyte progenitor cell dysfunction in familial schizophrenia”, Molecular Psychiatry, Jan 4, 2018.
“An expandable embryonic stem cell-derived Purkinje neuron progenitor population that exhibits in vivo maturation in the adult mouse cerebellum”, Scientific Reports, August 2017.
“Fast-spiking Parvalbumin Interneurons are Frequently Myelinated in the Cerebral Cortex of Mice and Humans”. Cerebral Cortex, August 2017.
"Activity-based protein profiling reveals off-target proteins of the FAAH inhibitor BIA 10-2474”. Science, June 2017.
“A simplified protocol for differentiation of electrophysiologically mature neuronal networks from human induced pluripotent stem cells”. Molecular Psychiatry, Apr. 2017.
“Transient and sustained afterdepolarizations in accessory olfactory bulb mitral cells are mediated by distinct mechanisms that are differentially regulated by neuromodulators”. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, Jan 2015.
“Calcium-Activated Sustained Firing Responses Distinguish Accessory from Main Olfactory Bulb Mitral Cells.” Journal of Neuroscience, May 2012.
“Distinct intrinsic membrane properties determine differential information processing between main and accessory olfactory bulb mitral cells.” Neuroscience, Aug 2011.