About
Ryan Draft is a Lecturer in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, where he serves as Assistant Director of the Harvard Neurobiology program and directs the undergraduate Neurobiology concentration. His office is located in the Biological Labs Building at Harvard.
Dr. Draft specializes in neurobiology with research interests spanning developmental neurobiology, pain mechanisms, synaptic connectivity, and olfactory behavior. His current research focuses on ant olfactory behavior, specifically investigating antennae dynamics during odor tracking in Camponotus Pennsylvanicus to understand neural processing and decision making. Earlier in his career, he studied how synaptic circuitry develops and is refined using imaging techniques, physiology, and molecular genetics.
His teaching portfolio includes MCB 115 (Cellular Basis of Neuronal Function), MCB 148 (The Neurobiology of Pain), and Neuro 103 (Building a Brain). His publications span developmental neurobiology, pain research, and olfactory behavior, showing an evolution from basic neural development to more specialized areas like pain pathways and sensory processing. His recent work emphasizes computational approaches to understanding neural decision-making in olfactory systems.
Dr. Draft is deeply involved in undergraduate education as an academic advisor for Neurobiology students, helping guide them through curriculum choices, research opportunities, and career paths. He also co-directs summer research programs in Bangalore, India and Lisbon, Portugal.
