Overview
All brains must transition from inactive to active during development. While neural activity early in life is crucial for neural circuit wiring in many contexts, how the brain “turns on”, and how this initial activity influences circuit formation, remain unclear in any system. To study this evolutionarily conserved phenomenon, we combine imaging of neural activity in the intact fruit fly embryo, quantitative behavioral analysis, and advanced genetics. The fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) offers a unique set of powerful genetic tools and has an accessible nervous system that shares common features with those many animals, including humans. Our research program aims to reveal the underlying logic of how brains become active, and how early activity influences circuit formation to sculpt mature behaviors.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Assistant Professor of Biology
·
2024 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Assistant Professor in Neurobiology
·
2024 - Present
Neurobiology,
Basic Science Departments
Recent Publications
Mechanosensory input during circuit formation shapes Drosophila motor behavior through patterned spontaneous network activity.
Journal Article Current biology : CB · December 2021 Neural activity sculpts circuit wiring in many animals. In vertebrates, patterned spontaneous network activity (PaSNA) generates sensory maps and establishes local circuits.1-3 However, it remains unclear how PaSNA might shape neuronal circuits ... Full text CiteMDN brain descending neurons coordinately activate backward and inhibit forward locomotion.
Journal Article eLife · August 2018 Command-like descending neurons can induce many behaviors, such as backward locomotion, escape, feeding, courtship, egg-laying, or grooming (we define 'command-like neuron' as a neuron whose activation elicits or 'commands' a specific behavior). In most an ... Full text CiteNeural circuits driving larval locomotion in Drosophila.
Journal Article Neural development · April 2018 More than 30 years of studies into Drosophila melanogaster neurogenesis have revealed fundamental insights into our understanding of axon guidance mechanisms, neural differentiation, and early cell fate decisions. What is less understood is how a group of ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Training Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2001 - 2027Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2021 - 2026Structure and function of spontaneous network activity during circuit formation
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2025View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
UT Southwestern Medical School ·
2016
Ph.D.
University of Puerto Rico ·
2009
B.S.