Dennis Mathew

Dennis Mathew is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he also serves as Associate Chair and Co-Director of the Graduate MS/PhD Neuroscience Program. He joined the university on a tenure-track appointment in July 2014 and received tenure with promotion to Associate Professor in July 2020. His research primarily focuses on neuroscience, particularly sensory neuroscience, olfaction, and neuromodulation, using Drosophila as a model system.

Dr. Mathew received his Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2006, followed by postdoctoral research in Neuroscience at Yale University, New Haven, CT, completed in 2014. His undergraduate education includes an M.Sc. in Biotechnology from M.S. University, Vadodara, India (1998) and a B.Sc. in Microbiology and Biochemistry from SIES College, Mumbai, India (1996).

Dr. Mathew's research centers on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying olfactory processing in Drosophila. His work examines how sensory information is processed and transformed into behavioral outputs, with particular interest in how internal states like hunger modulate olfactory responses. His laboratory investigates functional diversity among olfactory receptor neurons, the effects of neuromodulation on sensory processing, and the impact of environmental factors such as pesticides on olfactory function. More recently, his research has expanded to include studies on anosmia in COVID-19 patients, connecting his expertise in olfactory neuroscience with clinical applications.

Analysis of Dr. Mathew's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Drosophila olfactory neuroscience, with increasing exploration of how internal states, environmental factors, and disease conditions affect sensory processing. His work spans molecular, cellular, and behavioral levels, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to understanding neural circuits. In addition to his fundamental research on insect olfaction, he has made significant contributions to understanding the neurological aspects of COVID-19, particularly regarding loss of smell.

• Research on the neuroscience of olfaction has been supported by NIH, USDA, and DoD grants
• Directs an NIH-ENDURE training program for undergraduate researchers from underrepresented backgrounds

Dr. Mathew teaches several neuroscience-related courses including BIOL 475/675 (Neurobiology), BIOL 395 (Laboratory in Genetics and Cell Biology), BIOL 479 (Neurotechniques Laboratory), and BIOL 601 (Neuroscience Journal Club). He has authored numerous research and review articles in scientific journals, with a strong publication record spanning from 2002 to the present.

The Mathew Lab at the University of Nevada, Reno focuses on understanding the neural basis of olfactory behavior using Drosophila as a model system. The lab employs a range of techniques including behavioral assays, optogenetics, and molecular genetics to investigate how sensory information is processed and transformed into behavioral outputs.