May-Britt Moser Quotes

Powerful May-Britt Moser for Daily Growth

About May-Britt Moser

May-Britt Moser, born on March 31, 1963, in Norway, is an eminent neuroscientist renowned for her groundbreaking work on the brain's spatial navigation system. She shares the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with her husband Edvard Moser and American researcher John O'Keefe for their discoveries about the brain's positioning and orientation in space. Raised in a family of educators, Moser developed an early interest in science. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Oslo, where she met Edvard Moser. The couple later moved to Trondheim for their graduate studies, focusing on brain research. In 2005, they discovered 'place cells' in the hippocampus, which are neural cells that form a map of an animal's environment. In 2010, the Mosers' work expanded with the discovery of grid cells, which help animals determine their position and orientation within an environment using a hexagonal grid system. This breakthrough provided crucial insights into human navigation abilities. Moser's research has significant implications for understanding and treating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and mental disorders related to disorientation. She is a professor at the Centre for Neural Computation (CNC) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), where she continues her work on the brain's spatial system and its relationship with other cognitive processes. Awarded numerous prestigious prizes, including the Brain Prize in 2011 and the Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research in 2014, Moser is a role model for women in science and an inspiring figure in neuroscience research. Her groundbreaking work continues to reshape our understanding of spatial cognition and its implications for human behavior.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Exploring the brain is like opening a Pandora's box - every time you lift off a lid, there's another mystery underneath."

This quote by May-Britt Moser emphasizes that understanding the human brain, much like opening the mythical Pandora's Box, reveals not just one but multiple mysteries. Each discovery unveils a new layer of complexity within our minds, suggesting that we have barely scratched the surface in terms of comprehending its intricate workings and functions. It underscores the limitless potential for advancements in neuroscience as we continue to explore and challenge what we know about the brain, ultimately broadening our understanding of ourselves and the human experience.


"Understanding how the brain creates our inner sense of direction could revolutionize everything from navigation technology to understanding dementia."

The quote by May-Britt Moser underscores the potential impact of studying the brain's mechanisms for creating our internal compass, or sense of direction. This research could lead to significant advancements in various fields, such as developing more sophisticated navigation technology, and gaining insights into conditions like dementia that affect spatial awareness and orientation. Essentially, understanding how the brain constructs our innate sense of direction may revolutionize our ability to navigate both physically and technologically, and provide valuable insights into neurological disorders.


"The grid cells in the brain are like the GPS system of the mind."

This quote by May-Britt Moser suggests that our brains have an internal mapping system, similar to a Global Positioning System (GPS), which helps us navigate and orient ourselves within our environment. The "grid cells" she refers to are specific types of neurons in the brain's hippocampus that contribute to this internal spatial representation, enabling us to understand and move through space effectively. In essence, Moser is highlighting the fascinating aspect of how our brain creates mental maps to help us navigate both familiar and unfamiliar spaces.


"The discovery of grid cells has fundamentally changed our understanding of spatial representation in the brain and our perception of space in the world."

The quote highlights that the discovery of "grid cells" - specific types of neurons found in the brains of mammals, including humans - has significantly revolutionized our comprehension of spatial cognition in the brain and our perception of physical space. These grid cells are essential for creating a cognitive map or internal representation of our surroundings, enabling us to navigate effectively through our environment. In essence, Moser's quote underscores how this scientific discovery expanded our knowledge of the brain's mechanisms underlying spatial understanding and navigation skills.


"Science is not only a tool for finding out how things work, it's also a way to open up new horizons for us as human beings."

This quote by May-Britt Moser suggests that science not only serves the practical purpose of understanding how the world functions, but also has a profound impact on expanding our human perspective and broadening our horizons. By exploring the mysteries of nature, we not only gain knowledge, but also enrich our understanding of ourselves and the universe, fostering personal growth and intellectual curiosity.


Everyone knows that there are some odors that send you directly back to memories of your childhood - odors from Christmas time and so forth.

- May-Britt Moser

Childhood, Some, Everyone, Directly

Whenever I have given lectures to a large audience before, I have always looked for an ending that gives a 'wow' feeling.

- May-Britt Moser

Audience, Always, Given, Lectures

A good designer has a lot in common with a good researcher. Both hunt for excellence and perfection. And you have to really focus on the details, and you don't really know what the final result will be before you have it.

- May-Britt Moser

Excellence, Hunt, Researcher, Perfection

All children are born with stars in their eyes, and they are curious. It is important for teachers to be careful not to kill this curiosity. A lot can go wrong. Children can be teased, even by teachers.

- May-Britt Moser

Curious, Born, Be Careful, Teased

It is so important to allow children to bloom and to be driven by their curiosity.

- May-Britt Moser

Curiosity, Important, Allow, Bloom

We didn't care about salaries and having a nice car. We just cared about science and were really ambitious.

- May-Britt Moser

Nice, About, Having, Cared

I've trained myself to find time to exercise relaxation of the body. I have these programs - I just listen to the instructions, and they're simple. Sometimes you just hold your hand tight and keep your breath - you hold it, hold it, feel all the tension, and then relax.

- May-Britt Moser

Instructions, Trained, Programs

My frontal lobe doesn't function well. When I'm out with friends, I typically have a cup of coffee, and that's not good for my sleep. And yet I'll do it again, night after night - 'Oh why did I have that cup of coffee?' I can't stop it because I love it.

- May-Britt Moser

Love, Good, Why, Coffee

I was the youngest child. I got to be myself and ask stupid questions because I was the youngest. It is so important to listen to the questions children have and reward them for the wondrous questions they ask.

- May-Britt Moser

Stupid, Reward, Wondrous, Listen

I was trained to be very tough. My mom told me I shouldn't cry; I shouldn't be afraid of anything.

- May-Britt Moser

Afraid, Very, Trained, Cry

Children need teachers who have stars in their eyes themselves and who treat them with respect.

- May-Britt Moser

Children, Treat, Need, Teachers

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