Neuroethology (Biol 431) An exploration of modern research aimed at understanding the neural basis of behavior. Students lead weekly discussions of research articles (of their choosing) investigating a range of behaviors in both model (mice, fruit flies, etc) and non-model (electric fish, bats, etc) organisms. Major themes include sensory processing, neural plasticity, and generation of motor rhythms.
Neurobiology and Physiology (Biol 381) In the fall, I teach Neurobiology and Physiology, in which I place a major focus on how the nervous and endocrine systems integrate and regulate diverse organismal functions. The laboratory component introduces students to neurophysiology and optogenetic techniques to study neural circuit function.
Topics in Biology (Biol 101/102) The two-semester “Topics in Biology” at Reed College consists of four distinct, but interrelated, modules that mix fundamental biological principles with exciting work at the cutting edge of the field.
Thesis
All students at Reed complete a senior thesis, an amazing opportunity for students to design and execute independent research during their final two semesters.Contact me if you're interested in doing your thesis in my lab, and see Research page for ideas for potential projects.
Summer research
Like learning a language, the best route to becoming proficient in the lab is total immersion. While the school-year offers opportunities for lab time (before and during the thesis year), summer research allows students the chance to focus their efforts on a single project without the distraction of courses and exams. Reed Biology hosts many student researchers every summer (25 in 2015!). This active environment ensures plenty of opportunities to share your experiences with your peers, participate in lively journal club discussions, and have fun while doing science. If you are interested in conducting summer research in my lab, contact me to discuss potential projects. Also see http://www.reed.edu/biology/SURF/surf_application.html for general information and application materials for summer research fellowships.