Thomas Preuss

Thomas Preuss is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Hunter College, CUNY, specializing in Neurobiology and Behavioral Neuroscience. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying decision-making and plasticity in sensorimotor systems, particularly using the Mauthner cell system of teleost fish. He investigates how social status, sensory input, and environmental factors influence neural processing and behavior, with a focus on prepulse inhibition, escape responses, and dendritic integration. His lab employs techniques such as in vivo electrophysiology, neuropharmacology, and high-speed video analysis.

Preuss earned his PhD in Biological Cybernetics from the University of Tübingen, Germany. His work bridges cellular neurobiology with behavioral ecology, emphasizing adaptive mechanisms in vertebrate nervous systems. Recent projects explore cortisol-induced changes in neuronal excitability and socially mediated plasticity in African cichlids.

Key research themes include the role of electrical inhibition in sensorimotor integration, temperature effects on neural circuits, and the molecular underpinnings of escape behavior. His findings contribute to understanding how neurons encode sensory information and translate it into adaptive motor outputs across species.