Craig Montell

Craig Montell is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He holds the Duggan Professorship and has previously served on the faculty at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine for nearly 25 years. His research focuses on sensory biology, particularly the mechanisms through which environmental stimuli—such as temperature, light, taste, and touch—influence behavior in organisms like Drosophila and mosquitoes.

Montell's laboratory discovered the founding member of the TRP channel family, a critical component in sensory transduction. His work extends to understanding mosquito behavior, aiming to develop strategies to combat diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti, such as dengue and Zika. He has also elucidated roles for rhodopsins beyond light sensing, including chemosensory functions.

• Education: B.A., UC Berkeley (1978); Ph.D., UCLA (1983)
• Postdoctoral Training: UC Berkeley (1984–1986)

His research interests span sensory neurobiology, ion channel biology, and vector control. Key achievements include defining TRP channel roles in mechanosensation and thermosensation, and pioneering studies on mosquito sensory mechanisms. Awards include the NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award (1987), honorary doctorates from Catholic University (2010) and Baylor College (2011), and an NIH Pioneer Award (2015).

Montell has mentored numerous students and contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives at UCSB’s Neuroscience program. His lab integrates molecular genetics, electrophysiology, and behavioral analyses to explore sensory processing and decision-making in organisms.