Concentration in Neurobiology and Animal Behavior

Neurobiology is the study of how nervous systems function. It is currently one of the largest and fastest growing areas of biology. At its most reductionist level neurobiology employs genetic and molecular approaches and at it extends to the level of whole animal behvior and social interactions.
Suggested Program of Study and Appropriate Courses >

Faculty mentors:

David Cochrane
Sara Lewis
Michael Romero
Barry Trimmer

Cochrane Laboratory
The Cochrane laboratory is interested in the cellular aspects of transmitter receptors and in particular how the the eurotensin receptor on mast cells couples to the secretory response. A second research area concerns the physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms by which the mast cell and its interactions with neuroendocrine peptides contribute to the regulation of inflammation and tissue homeostasis.

Lewis Laboratory
The Lewis laboratory studies behavior from an evolutionary perspective, and is particularly interested in the ecological context of sexual selection in natural populations. This work uses a variety of model organisms to examine how sex ratios, population density, and parental investment may alter the predicted patterns of courtship behavior and the relative intensity of sexual selection on males and females. Studies on fireflies and the flour beetle Tribolium explore how pre-copulatory and post-copulatory behaviors interact to determine overall reproductive success.

Romero Laboratory
Work in the Romero laboratory integrates several of these levels in examining the adaptive role of stress responses in wildlife populations. The experimental subjects are wild artic birds and mammals, Galapagos Marine iguanas and captive starlings. This research consists of intimately intertwined laboratory and field studies in the areas of physiology, ecology, and neuroscience, all with the goal of increasing our comprehension of the causes and effects of stress.

The tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta)

Trimmer Laboratory
The Trimmer laboratory focuses on the role played by neurotransmitter receptors and their associated cellular effects in identified motoneurons of the insect Manduca sexta. The general aim of this research is to identify biochemical and molecular processes that underlie simple behaviors. Although we are interested in many neurotransmitter systems, our present research focuses on the different classes of receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) and on the neurotransmitter gas nitric oxide (NO). We are also studying how caterpillars walk and coordinate movements so that we can understand the neural control of soft-bodied locomotion. This work might eventually be used to design a new type of flexible robot.

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