Benjamin Navia

Benjamin Navia is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Andrews University since 2013. He holds a BS in General Science from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, an MS in Biology from Andrews University, and a PhD in Biology from Loma Linda University. His research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying auditory behavior in crickets, particularly phonotaxis in female Acheta domesticus. Dr. Navia investigates how neuronal circuits process acoustic signals for mate localization and recognition, with studies on neuromodulators, temperature effects, and behavioral plasticity.

He teaches Neurobiology, Foundations of Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology. His work bridges neuroethology and education, including service-learning initiatives to engage students. Key contributions include nanoinjection studies modulating neurotransmitters and elucidating temperature's parallel effects on cricket communication systems. Collaborative projects involve undergraduate researchers and跨-institutional partnerships.

Publications span 1999-2024, emphasizing auditory neuroscience in insects. Teaching innovations include integrating Panopto video tools and evaluating student perceptions of evolution education in Christian colleges. His lab utilizes electrophysiological, behavioral, and molecular techniques to explore sensory processing and neuronal plasticity in cricket models.