My long-term goal is to understand how emotions are encoded in the brain. I’ve approached this question by asking how neural circuits orchestrate evolutionarily conserved social behaviors that are thought to be closely linked with emotions and how these circuits are modulated by sex, experience and physiological state. To address these questions, we use molecular approaches to genetically identify circuit components combined with tools to manipulate and record neural activity and gene expression to understand their function. Our studies have revealed a general principle that architecturally similar circuits modulated by gene expression changes might underlie state and sex specific differences in social behaviors.
Who or what most inspires you and why?
I have had the good fortune to work with visionary mentors and fantastic colleagues (including undergraduates) in my short scientific career. These are the people who inspire me every day. The guidance and camaraderie of colleagues is what drives science and diverse work environments really have the power to provide unique answers to hard problems.
As an undergraduate, I was inspired by the elegant and simple experimental approaches that led to conceptual leaps in molecular biology and evolution- many of which were made right here at Harvard!
What are your hopes for the future?
We live in an exciting time for neuroscience, wherein a confluence of new technologies and “moonshot” big-data projects is allowing us to investigate at an unprecedented scale one of the great mysteries of science- that of how the brain gives rise to behavior. The next few years will reveal a near complete “parts list” of neuronal and glial cell types, based on morphology, molecular profiles, and activity patterns. It will then become critical to understand the function of these cells in the context of naturalistic behaviors.
I am excited to continue my endeavor to explore the nature of emotion as well as to ask questions that, until recently, were beyond mechanistic reach. Specifically, it will be very satisfying to gain insights into the neurobiology of subjective experience and the evolution of behavioral diversity.
What is the hardest part about the work you do?
The hardest part of experimental science in general is learning to cope with failure. Perseverance and grit are probably the most important traits that one learns in experimental biology. Having a supportive mentor and fun colleagues can make this process less painful and sometimes enjoyable.
Another important skill needed to stay at the forefront of discovery is to constantly evolve and take risks. Learning these skills perhaps takes many years of experience and is a hard ideal to achieve, but one that I’ve been assured leads to satisfying rewards.
Portrait photo above by Celia Muto