John O'Keeffe is a prominent neuroscientist known for his groundbreaking research on spatial memory and navigation. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2014 for his discovery of place cells in the hippocampus, which are crucial for understanding how the brain maps physical space. O'Keeffe's work has significantly advanced our knowledge of how animals, including humans, navigate their environment. His findings have implications for various fields, including psychology, cognitive science, and even the study of Alzheimer's disease, as they help explain how memory and spatial awareness are interconnected.