Erik Zornik

Erik Zornik is a Professor of Biology at Reed College, within the Division of Mathematical and Natural Sciences. His research focuses on understanding how neural circuits generate vocal behaviors in amphibians, particularly the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis.

Education:

• B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan (1997)
• Ph.D. in Neurobiology, Columbia University (2006)
• Postdoctoral training at Boston University and University of Utah

Research Interests:

• Neural mechanisms of vocal communication
• Central pattern generator (CPG) dynamics
• Neuromodulation of motor circuits
• Evolution of vocal behavior
• Molecular identification of vocal neurons
• Comparative neurobiology across amphibian species

Key Article Trends: Dr. Zornik’s publications emphasize vocal circuit evolution, neuromodulator roles (e.g., nonapeptides), and cross-species comparisons in frogs. His work integrates electrophysiology, molecular biology, and computational models to study how hindbrain circuits generate and evolve vocalizations.