Lisa Stowers Anderson

Lisa Stowers Anderson is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at The Scripps Research Institute. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying how neurons detect and respond to pheromones, particularly in mice, with implications for understanding human behavioral disorders like Kluver-Bucy syndrome. She employs molecular genetics, electrophysiology, and behavioral analysis to study neuronal coding of social behaviors.

Education: PhD in Molecular & Cellular Biology from Harvard University (1997).

Research interests center on sensory systems, specifically how pheromone detection via the vomeronasal organ regulates territorial aggression, mating, and maternal behaviors. Her work reveals conserved neural circuit principles between mice and humans.

• 2012: Current Biology article on maternal odor recognition
• 2010: Cell study on interspecies defensive behaviors
• 2007: Nature discovery of protein pheromones linked to aggression

Themes include species-specific pheromone signaling, evolutionary conservation of behavioral circuits, and molecular basis of social recognition.

Awards:

• 2012 Ellison Medical Foundation Senior Scholar
• 2004 Pew Scholar
• 2002 Science Magazine Top 10 Breakthrough

Grants and funding: Multiple NIH grants and foundation support for pheromone research programs. Active in training next-generation neuroscientists through mentorship and leadership roles.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Stowers Lab at TSRI focused on chemosensory neuroscience, collaborating with neurophysiologists and behavioral scientists worldwide.