Kevin M Collins

Kevin M Collins is an Associate Professor in the Biology department at the University of Miami's College of Arts and Sciences. He leads the Collins lab, an interdisciplinary research group focused on understanding how neural circuits develop and are modulated to drive distinct behavior states, primarily using the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism.

Dr. Collins' research centers on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neural circuit function and behavior. His work particularly investigates the egg-laying circuit in C. elegans, examining how neurotransmitters like serotonin signal through various molecular pathways to coordinate behavior. His laboratory employs calcium imaging to monitor neural activity in real-time, optogenetics to manipulate specific neurons, and genetic approaches to dissect molecular pathways. A key aspect of his work explores how presynaptic neurons (particularly the serotonergic HSN command neurons) communicate with postsynaptic targets (vulval muscles) to produce coordinated behavioral outputs.

Analysis of Dr. Collins' publications from 2019-2022 reveals several interconnected research themes. His work demonstrates how serotonin signaling through G alpha(q) proteins, Trio RhoGEF, and diacylglycerol promotes egg-laying circuit activity through distinct effector pathways in different cell types. He has discovered that presynaptic Gαo signaling depresses command neuron excitability to allow for stretch-dependent modulation of egg-laying behavior, creating bi-stable neural states. His research on VC neurons revealed how mechanosensory feedback creates positive feedback loops that promote full vulval muscle contraction. Collectively, these findings show how neuromodulators and mechanosensory inputs work together to coordinate complex behaviors through multiple parallel signaling pathways.

Dr. Collins has made significant contributions to understanding neural circuit organization principles, particularly how the same neuromodulator can signal through distinct effector pathways in different cell types to coordinate circuit activity. His work has implications for broader neuroscience questions about circuit function and neuromodulation in more complex nervous systems. His laboratory appears to actively train students and postdoctoral researchers, with numerous co-authored publications showing mentorship of early-career scientists.