Research interests
My research interests center on the relationship between physiology and behavior, of both animals and humans. Over the years my students and I have conducted a variety of studies that have included neurophysiological, physiological performance, and cognitive assessments. While I do have several primary areas of research (see below), I am always open to good projects, even ones outside of these general areas. My laboratory contains equipment to support a broad range of research techniques, including acoustic recording (in both field and lab) and sound analysis, histology and immunohistochemistry, neurophysiology, automated operant training/tasking, electronics assembly/testing, and human ECG / EEG / EMG / pulmonary measurements. I also have conducted and supported students on a variety of field projects.
The behavior and neurophysiology of the avian song system
Research in my laboratory focuses upon the neurobiology and behavior of vocal communication in passerine (= “song”) birds. As a group, songbirds exhibit a remarkably diverse set of behaviors for the learning, production, perception, and behavioral use of vocal communication signals. They share with humans the distinction of being one of the very few vertebrate groups to learn their adult vocalizations via auditory experience early in life.
Songbirds also provide a powerful model for studying the neural bases for vertebrate vocal learning and communication in general. Projects in this area of research include purely behavioral studies (both field and lab), as well as histological, neurophysiological, and computational approaches.
My research employs physiological, behavioral, and anatomical methods to examine the relationship between the design and function of the song neural system and the vocal behaviors that it subserves. Within this research area, my research has focused upon several specific questions:
Human exercise and performance physiology
I also am interested in human physiology, especially aspects of performance and system regulation. Specific areas of inquiry include assessments of cardiac and pulmonary performance, measures of heat load, as well as ECG/EMG/EEG recordings.
Projects in this area of research include measures of human fitness and physiological performance, human lifestyle/activity assessments, and computational modeling.
Recent areas of inquiry include:
Research in my laboratory focuses upon the neurobiology and behavior of vocal communication in passerine (= “song”) birds. As a group, songbirds exhibit a remarkably diverse set of behaviors for the learning, production, perception, and behavioral use of vocal communication signals. They share with humans the distinction of being one of the very few vertebrate groups to learn their adult vocalizations via auditory experience early in life.
Songbirds also provide a powerful model for studying the neural bases for vertebrate vocal learning and communication in general. Projects in this area of research include purely behavioral studies (both field and lab), as well as histological, neurophysiological, and computational approaches.
My research employs physiological, behavioral, and anatomical methods to examine the relationship between the design and function of the song neural system and the vocal behaviors that it subserves. Within this research area, my research has focused upon several specific questions:
- How are complex vocal repertoires represented within the auditory and motor systems of the songbird brain?
- How do the left and right halves of the songbird brain coordinate their actions during the production of vocalizations?
- Do species possessing song repertoires that are vastly different in size or complexity share similar neural mechanism for vocal communication?
- How is auditory feedback used to guide neural circuitry for the production of vocalizations?
Human exercise and performance physiology
I also am interested in human physiology, especially aspects of performance and system regulation. Specific areas of inquiry include assessments of cardiac and pulmonary performance, measures of heat load, as well as ECG/EMG/EEG recordings.
Projects in this area of research include measures of human fitness and physiological performance, human lifestyle/activity assessments, and computational modeling.
Recent areas of inquiry include:
- How coordinated are changes in human cardiac and pulmonary systems in the face of an exertion stress?
- What are the forms and magnitudes of anticipatory change to human exertion?
- How does human body position impact pulmonary performance?
- How does autonomic, sympathetic control exert coordinated influence over multiple physiological systems?
Page last edited Aug 2017