Thomas Bozza

Thomas Bozza is the Edgar C. Stuntz Distinguished Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on molecular genetics and physiology of olfaction, particularly how neural circuits encode molecular information and drive olfactory behaviors. He holds affiliations with the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and the Center for Genetic Medicine.

Education:

• Ph.D., Tufts University School of Medicine

Research Interests:

• Mechanisms of monoallelic odorant receptor expression
• Olfactory circuit organization and odor coding
• Role of TAARs in detecting ethologically relevant amines
• Neural basis of innate and learned olfactory behaviors

Recent Research Trends: Recent work emphasizes genetic mechanisms controlling TAAR expression, odor sensitivity thresholds, and how specific receptors mediate critical survival behaviors like predator avoidance. Collaborations with Dima Rinberg explore general principles of odor coding.

Awards:

• Brain Research Foundation Seed Grants (2009, 2011)
• Whitehall Foundation Neurobiology Grant (2007)
• HHMI Janelia Farm Visiting Scientist (2008)

Lab Activities:

• Current students: 5 graduate/master’s students and technical staff
• Active projects include CRISPR-based gene editing, transcriptomics, in vivo imaging, and behavioral assays
• Funding: NIH grants and private foundation support

Labs/Teams: Lab focuses on interdisciplinary approaches combining molecular genetics, electrophysiology, and computational analysis. Collaborates with institutions like NYU and Firmenich.