Julie Simpson

Julie H. Simpson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She leads the Simpson Lab, which investigates neural circuits controlling motor sequences in fruit flies, focusing on how the nervous system selects and coordinates behaviors like grooming. Her research combines genetic tools, computational neuroethology, and neuroanatomy to study fly behavior at single-cell resolution.

Education:

• AB in Molecular Biology, Princeton University (1995)
• PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology, UC Berkeley (2000)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, UW Madison (2000–2006)
• Group Leader, Janelia Research Campus (2006–2015)

Research Interests: The lab explores how neural circuits execute behavioral sequences, particularly fly grooming. Key themes include motor program selection, neural circuit motifs, and the interplay between sensory input and behavioral output. Techniques employed include optogenetics, functional imaging, and quantitative behavioral analysis.

Awards:

• NSF Career Award
• L’Oreal Women in Science Award
• Helen Hay Whitney Post-doctoral Fellowship
• HHMI Pre-doctoral Fellowship

Lab & Mentoring: The Simpson Lab includes undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and senior scientists. It emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and training. Current opportunities exist for students across UCSB’s MCDB, DYNS, and BMSE programs.

Location & Contact: Office 3129 Biology II, UCSB Campus. Lab website: simpson.mcdb.ucsb.edu.