Hong Lei

Hong Lei is a Research Professor at the School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University (ASU), where he is part of the Social Insect Research Group. Previously, he held roles including Associate Research Professor at ASU (2016–present), Associate Research Scientist (2012–2016), and Staff Scientist (2004–2012) at the University of Arizona's Department of Neuroscience. He has also been an adjunct faculty member at Pima Community College, teaching courses like Introductory Human Anatomy and Physiology and General Biology.

Education includes a Ph.D. in Biology from Beijing Normal University (1994), followed by postdoctoral research with Prof. John G. Hildebrand at the University of Arizona (2004) and Prof. Bill Hansson at Lund University (1999).

Lei's research focuses on understanding how animal nervous systems process sensory information, particularly olfactory signals in insects like the hawkmoth and honeybee. His work investigates neural circuits from peripheral to higher-order processing, emphasizing the transformation of sensory inputs into behaviors. He employs multidisciplinary approaches, collaborating with mathematicians, engineers, and chemists.

His research has been supported by grants such as NSF funding for olfactory dynamics studies (2012–2016) and a collaborative project on locust aggregation behaviors (2013–2016). Notable awards include the University of Arizona Service Award (2014) and the AAFSAA Outstanding Community Service Award (2013).

In addition to his research, Lei has mentored over 30 students and scholars. He serves on the editorial boards of Frontiers in Chemical Ecology and Frontiers in Invertebrate Physiology, and is active in professional associations like the Society for Neuroscience.

Lei is involved in outreach activities, including demonstrations at science festivals and educational programs targeting K-12 students, such as the Arizona Insect Festival and Brain Awareness Week.