About
I have broad interests in the role of neural and physiological mechanisms (e.g., brain circuits, hormones) in regulating social behavior across animal species (including humans), and how these mechanisms have evolved over time. My research focuses on the neural, hormonal, and sensory basis of parental behavior using zebra finches as a model. Zebra finches are highly social creatures, biparental, and socially monogamous – making them an excellent model to study social behavior that is uniquely parallel to human social behavior.
My research focuses on three main questions:
1. How do hormones affect parenting behavior (and vice versa)?
2. How does the brain modify parenting behavior (and vice versa)?
3. How do sensory cues, such as begging calls, from offspring drive parenting behavior in adults?
To answer these questions, I use a variety of research techniques ranging from behavioral testing to hormone assays, to brain circuit mapping, and in vivo electrophysiology to measure brain activity.
My ultimate goal is to study the intersection of how the brain, hormones, and sensory processing work together to regulate parental behavior. Insights from this work may help us better understand how a healthy, parental brain functions, and how we might be able to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders, such as post-partum depression, that are unique to parents.
*** We are hiring! ****
*We're looking for a Research Lab Specialist (staff position) or Postdoc (research fellow position) with expertise in vivo electrophysiology who is keen to help us set up this technique in the lab! Interested applicants should apply here:
*We’re also looking to hire a research technician with basic bench work experience who is keen to help us set up the lab and get other techniques up and running! (e.g., ELISA, IHC, RNAscope, behavioral experiments). Interested applicants should apply here:
*Undergraduates: Current UM students interested in research should fill out this form. Students who are available for 2+ semesters and/or in the summer are especially encouraged to apply! Community college or incoming transfer students should reach out to me directly via email.
*Graduate students: I am open to recruiting a PhD student in the Fall 2025. Please reach out if interested in applying to the Psychology graduate program.
