Jonas Kaplan is faculty at USC’s Brain and Creativity Institute and is the Co-Director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center. Dr. Kaplan is a cognitive neuroscientist who uses functional neuroimaging techniques to understand issues at the core of what makes us human. His research has investigated the neural basis of our deepest beliefs and values, our self concept and identity, and how we connect and empathize with others. He also has an interest in the neural basis of narrative cognition, in understanding how our brains make meaning of the world through story. This research involves examining how the brain responds during complex, unfolding experiences such as movies or musical performances. A complete understanding of these neural systems also involves studying states of mind that occur when narrative thought is reduced, such as in meditative practice.