Our lab studies how the nervous system represents information about the temperature sense (thermosensation) and taste. Although appearing unrelated at first glance, both thermosensation and taste have ties to supporting homeostasis and protective behaviors across animals, humans included. For example, the aversive bitter taste of toxins and the noxious sensation of tissue-damaging heat both signal dangers to avoid.

Historically, thermosensory and taste biology were investigated separately from one another. However, recent functional studies from our lab discovered that afferent pathways for these senses come together and reach common neurons in deeper brain nuclei associated with sensory valence and emotion.

Studies in our lab test hypotheses about the functional organization of neural circuits that combine and integrate thermosensation with taste. Our experiments use multidisciplinary approaches including systems neurophysiology, behavior, molecular and genetic tools, computational analysis, and development of new experimental hardware.