Kevin Daly

Kevin Daly is a Professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine with appointments in both the Department of Neuroscience and the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. He holds the Eberly Family Distinguished Professor in Biology position and maintains his laboratory in the 4200 Life Sciences Building. His research is supported by multiple funding sources including the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Daly's research focuses on understanding how motor neural networks communicate with sensory networks through corollary discharges or predictive motor signals. His laboratory investigates how sensory networks disambiguate environmentally generated stimuli from motor-driven reafference, with particular relevance to understanding sensory-based hallucinations in human brain diseases such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. His work has significant implications for understanding the neural basis of sensory processing disorders.

Analyzing his publication record from 2010-2024 reveals a consistent focus on sensory-motor integration, particularly in insect models. His research demonstrates how behaviors like flight affect sensory processing, with numerous publications examining how wing beat frequencies interact with olfactory systems in Manduca sexta and Drosophila. His more recent work has expanded into connectomics using electron microscopy reconstructions to map neural circuits with unprecedented detail.

Daly maintains active collaborations with leading neuroscience institutions including Harvard University (The Lee Lab), Columbia University (The Card Lab), and Case Western Reserve University (The Dacks Lab). His laboratory provides state-of-the-art research opportunities for students, featuring advanced techniques like GCaMP imaging, optogenetics, and AI-based behavioral analysis. The Daly lab emphasizes collaborative mentorship, with graduate students expected to train and mentor undergraduate researchers while pursuing their individual development plans.

The Daly Laboratory specializes in studying ascending histamine immunoreactive neurons (AHNs) in Drosophila, which represent just 2 pairs among approximately 1,860 ascending neurons connecting the ventral nerve cord to the brain. His team utilizes cutting-edge approaches including 2-photon microscopy, super-resolution fluorescence imaging, and advanced genetic tools to investigate how these circuits process sensory information during behavior. The lab's research environment fosters collaboration both within the laboratory and across institutional boundaries.