Evolution through natural selection has shaped nervous systems to generate behaviors. However, there are very few opportunities to study neural circuit evolution where the ancestral and derived forms, as well as the adaptive environment, are all known and accessible. I study the synthesis of neuroethological and developmental principles to understand the evolution of neural adaptation. In my research, I concentrate my efforts into a two-pronged approach that examines the evolution of circuits, molecular mechanisms of behavior, and sensory novelty. Our first prong comprises hypothesis based studies on the role of development in the evolution. Our second research theme is based on discovery: How to animals evolve sensory and behavioral adaptations to extreme environments? Here we focus on exploration of extreme environments, unknown sensory modalities and behavior in the field, where the animals live. This integrative approach links a detailed characterization of the environment with the anatomy and function of neural systems within a phylogenetic context. My research goal is to determine the rules for neural adaptation over generations by manipulating developmental conditions and experiences and and uncovering new sensory modalities and behaviors.

Significant accomplishments:

1. Evolutionary constraints in neuronal coding in the auditory brainstem. I showed that circuits involved in timing of auditory information in the brainstem have a strong evolutionary pressure to maintain certain biophysical characteristics, such as short action potentials. (Neuroanatomy, comparative neurophysiology in vivo and in brain slices).
2. Novel sensory coding in an ancient animal. I described a new sensory organ in the skin of crocodilians. I examined the neuroanatomy, described electrophysiological responses, behavior and determined the paleontological significance of cranial fenestra (behavior, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and paleontology).
3. Teeth as sensory organs. I lead a research team to describe a new sensory organ in a species of cavefish in Ecuador. These fish have dermal teeth on their dorsal side that create hydrodynamic images from teeth information as adaptations to a high flow environment (behavior, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology)
4. Sensory tradeoffs in cave adaptation. I lead a team that determined that cavefishes don’t necessarily increase hearing sensitivity after losing sight, as previously and widely postulated (comparative anatomy and electrophysiology).
5. Evolution of gaits. I conceived and led a research study that determined that one species of cavefish has a pelvic girdle and is able to walk as a tetrapod (comparative morphology and behavior). I am now collaborating on describing the locomotion of tardigrades.