Andrew M. Dacks

Andrew M. Dacks is a Professor in the Department of Biology at West Virginia University School of Medicine, with an appointment in the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. His research examines how physiological states modulate neural processing and how insect brains evolve to support complex behaviors.

Education:

• PhD, University of Arizona Center for Insect Science, 2007

Research Interests:

Dr. Dacks' work centers on Modulation of Olfactory Processing, investigating how time of day, feeding status, and experience alter neural function via neuromodulation in the insect antennal lobe. His lab uses electrophysiology and neuroanatomy to identify mechanisms enabling nervous systems to adapt to physiological context without direct excitation or inhibition.

In Evolution of the Insect Brain, he employs comparative neuroanatomy across insect taxa to distinguish fundamental brain principles from ecological adaptations. This approach leverages insect diversity to reveal universal neural organization rules and species-specific behavioral innovations.

Publication Trends:

His recent publications (2011-2020) demonstrate consistent focus on serotonergic/dopaminergic modulation in Drosophila and Manduca sensory systems. Key themes include neuromodulator effects on olfactory-visual integration, flight-olfaction interactions, and neural circuit reconfiguration across physiological states. The work combines electrophysiology, connectomics, and behavioral analysis to establish general principles of sensory modulation.

Laboratory:

The Dacks Lab investigates sensory modulation mechanisms using insect models, with emphasis on how neuromodulators enable flexible neural processing during changing internal and external conditions. The lab's multidisciplinary approach bridges neurophysiology, evolution, and systems neuroscience.