Nicolas Mathevon is a Professor at the University of Saint-Etienne, with a focus on Animal Behavior and Bioacoustics . He currently serves as Director of Studies at Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes and leads the ENES Team . His research explores acoustic communication across diverse species, including crocodiles, seals, penguins, and humans, with particular emphasis on vocal recognition, signal evolution, and neurobiological underpinnings. Major collaborations include Dr. T. Aubin (CNRS), Dr. I. Charrier (marine mammals), Dr. N. Grimault (crocodilian bioacoustics), and Prof. D. Reby (human communication). He also co-edits a new book, The Voices of Nature , published by Princeton University Press. His recent work spans ecoacoustic monitoring for conservation, multi-modal communication in crocodiles, and cross-species analysis of distress signals in bonobos, chimps, and humans. Neurobiological studies include brain activation patterns in response to vocalizations and sound localization mechanisms in reptiles. Scientific Awards include senior membership in the Institut universitaire de France .
Kristofer Pister is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. He co-directs the Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center (BSAC) and the Ubiquitous Swarm Lab. His career spans groundbreaking innovations in Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Control Systems, and Low-Power Circuits, with a focus on Smart Dust and synthetic insects. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in EECS from UC Berkeley (1992, 1989); B.A. in Applied Physics from UC San Diego (1986). His research areas include MEMS , Control Systems , Robotics , and Integrated Circuits , with recent work on self-powered micro-sensors, crystal-free radios, and interplanetary swarm networks. Key awards include the ISA Albert F. Sperry Founder Award (2009) , Alexander Schwarzkopf Prize (2006) , and the NSF CAREER Award (1996) . He has authored numerous influential publications in wireless sensor networks and microrobotics. His lab, Ubiquitous Swarm Lab , explores distributed robotics and swarm intelligence. Pister emphasizes open collaboration in research, ethical conduct in academia, and efficient resource utilization for graduate students.
Prof. Dr. Susanne Foitzik is a Professor of Evolutionary Biology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 2010, where she leads the Evolution & Behavioral Ecology of Ants research group at the Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (IOME). Previously, she was Professor in Behavioral Ecology at LMU Munich (2004-2010) and Assistant Professor in Zoology at the University of Regensburg (2000-2004). She earned her PhD in Biology from Julius Maximilian University, Würzburg in 1998. Her research integrates approaches from behavioral ecology through genomics to epigenetics, focusing on ants as model organisms to study complex social behaviors. Host-parasite coevolution and social parasitism in ants Molecular mechanisms underlying division of labor Reversal of the fecundity-longevity trade-off in social insects Gene regulation in phenotypic plasticity Evolution of chemical communication systems Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on molecular mechanisms of social behavior, with particular emphasis on host-parasite interactions, epigenetic regulation of behavior, and genomic adaptations in social insects. Her work increasingly combines transcriptomic, proteomic, and functional genomic approaches to understand the molecular basis of social evolution. Among her notable scientific achievements: Speaker of Research Training Group 2626 GenEvo: Gene Regulation in Evolution (2019-present) Speaker of EES Master Program funded by VW foundation (2007-2010) DAAD Fellow at State University of New York (1992-93) Prof. Foitzik has supervised numerous PhD students and postdocs, including Maide Macit, Tom Sistermans, and Marcel Caminer. Her research is supported by multiple DFG-funded projects investigating host-parasite coevolution, the role of gene regulation in division of labor, and parasite interference in host gene expression. She serves as Handling Editor for Biology Letters and previously served on the editorial board of Insectes Sociaux. Her research group operates within the Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (IOME) at Mainz, with laboratory facilities at the Biozentrum I. The group collaborates extensively with researchers across Germany and internationally, including partnerships with institutions in Frankfurt, Freiburg, Bristol, and Tel Aviv.
Markus Friedrich is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wayne State University, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on insect development, gene family evolution, and arthropod visual systems, with a particular interest in cave-adapted species. He has held roles including Editor-in-Chief of the Molecular Biology and Genomics Section for the journal Insects and advised on the Australian Research Council project DP230100731 (2023-2024). Education: PhD in Zoology from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (1995), postdoctoral training at Caltech (1996–1999). His research interests span comparative genomics, evolutionary developmental biology, and the genetic basis of sensory adaptations. Notable work includes studies on opsin gene evolution, cave animal adaptations, and the genomic basis of arthropod diversification. Recent publications highlight discoveries in harvestmen relict eyes, horseshoe crab Pax6 homologs, and cave beetle sleep behavior. Teaching includes courses like BIO4220 Biological Dimensions of Evolutionary Psychology and BIO1500 Basic Life Diversity . He has supervised numerous students and volunteers, fostering a dynamic research lab environment. His work integrates genomic, developmental, and evolutionary approaches to unravel mechanisms of trait evolution in insects. Grants/Awards: Australian Research Council funding, editorial leadership in entomology journals. Labs/Teams: The Friedrich Lab focuses on evolutionary genetics, with projects involving Tribolium beetles, cave organisms, and comparative genomics.
Joana Falcao Salles is a Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen, leading the Salles Lab focused on Microbial Community Ecology. Her research integrates ecological and evolutionary theories to understand microbial community formation and their environmental impacts. She holds a PhD from Leiden University (2005) and has held academic positions since 2008. She serves as Treasurer on the Executive Board of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME). Her expertise spans microbial ecology in soils, plants, and animals, with a focus on microbial diversity, invasion dynamics, and symbiotic relationships. Key projects include studying salt marsh microbiomes, plant-microbe interactions in agriculture, and the role of microbiomes in host immunity. She has secured grants for initiatives like PotatoMETAbiome and INSECTFEED, advancing sustainable agriculture and circular economy solutions. Salles has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work on microbial solutions to climate change, antibiotic resistance, and gut-brain axis interactions. Her lab collaborates globally, addressing challenges in environmental sustainability and public health.
Dr. Marta Zlatic is a Principal Research Associate at the Department of Zoology , part of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Cambridge. She leads the Zlatic Lab, focusing on the structural and functional relationships within neural circuits. Her research explores how nervous systems integrate sensory information and prior experiences to enable decision-making, emphasizing learning and memory , sensorimotor transformations , and connectomics . Using Drosophila melanogaster larvae as a model organism, her work combines optogenetics , electron microscopy , and functional imaging to decode circuit principles. Recent publications highlight trends in connectome analysis and behavioural neuroscience , with subfields spanning synaptic architecture , neural network modeling , and genetic manipulation techniques . She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and maintains active research partnerships at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology. Group members include Bernd Breuer, Nicolo Ceffa, Michael Clayton, and other researchers advancing understanding of Drosophila neurobiology. The lab contributes to Cambridge's Athena Swan Bronze Award initiatives for equality and inclusion in research environments.
Katrin Vogt is a Group Leader at the University of Konstanz and an Affiliated Scientist at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. She serves on the IMPRS Board and Faculty, focusing on behavioral neuroscience in Drosophila larvae. Her research explores how social context and internal states (e.g., hunger) modulate neural circuits and behavior, utilizing genetic tools like optogenetics, RNAi, and CRISPR. Key Research Areas: Behavioral flexibility under internal state changes Neural integration of sensory and state signals in the antennal lobe Role of serotonin (CSD neuron) in modulating output pathways Computational modeling of state-dependent circuit dynamics Notable Achievements: Discovered state-dependent olfactory valence switching (e.g., geranyl acetate shifts from aversion to attraction under food deprivation) Elucidated glutamatergic inhibition mechanisms in picky local interneurons Identified 5-HT7 receptor's role in upregulating uniglomerular projection neuron activity Recent Publications: 2025: PLoS Biology on multimodal sensory neurons 2024: Current Biology commentary on behavioral neuroscience 2023: Current Biology on multisensory memory merging Academic Affiliations: University of Konstanz (Group Leader, Department of Collective Behavior) Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (Affiliated Scientist) IMPRS for Organismal Biology (Faculty Member) Scientific Awards: DFG Research Fellowship (Project No. 345729665) Students & Collaborators: PhD students: Hari P. Narayanan, Akhila Mudunuri Research assistants: Nora Tutas, Julius Klein, Constantin Dyroff DAAD summer student: Élyse Zadigue-Dubé Recent graduates: Amelie Edmaier (BSc 2023), Constantin Dyroff (BSc 2023)
Dina Dechmann is Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Department of Migration in Radolfzell, Germany. She leads the Ephemeral Resource Adaptations Research Group, focusing on how animals adapt to fluctuating resource availability through behavioral, morphological, and physiological strategies. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Animal Behavior from University of Zürich (2005) MS in Systematics & Ecology from ETH Zürich (1999) Habilitation at University of Konstanz (2018) Dr. Dechmann identifies as a classical behavioral ecologist with a passion for evolution, increasingly focusing on how resource distribution in time and space influences animal adaptations. Her research examines movement patterns (particularly in flying foxes and bats), energetics, information transfer during foraging, and morphological adaptations like wing shape. A significant focus involves seasonal phenological changes, especially in brain structure, as seen in her work on Dehnel's Phenomenon in shrews. She is actively involved in the ICARUS satellite tracking initiative to monitor bat migration. Her recent publications reveal consistent themes across animal behavior, neuroecology, and conservation biology. The work demonstrates sophisticated integration of field studies with molecular and physiological approaches, particularly in studying how animals navigate resource ephemerality. Key trends include bat migration patterns, brain plasticity in response to seasonal changes, and methodological innovations in wildlife tracking. Her research bridges fundamental behavioral ecology with practical conservation applications, especially regarding common bat species. Dr. Dechmann mentors a diverse international team including postdocs, doctoral students, and technical staff. Her group maintains strong collaborations across European institutions and with international partners, particularly in Panama where some field studies occur. While specific grant details aren't provided, her work on the ICARUS initiative and extensive publications suggest substantial research funding. The Ephemeral Resource Adaptations Group operates as a small, international team focused on resource distribution challenges for animals. Current projects examine migration as an adaptation to seasonal change, hibernation energetics in climate change contexts, social information sharing for ephemeral resources, alternative wintering strategies in small mammals, and impacts of research methodologies on animal behavior.
Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Rochester, within the School of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on the evolution of social behavior, particularly in insects, using integrative approaches that combine field and lab experiments with molecular and neural techniques. She investigates how relatedness, social interactions, environmental factors, and parasitic relationships influence cooperation, group formation, and neurobiological adaptations. Key research interests include the evolution of sociality, neuroethology, host-parasite interactions, behavioral ecology, and conservation. Her work employs model systems such as wasps (e.g., Mischocyttarus mexicanus, Polistes spp.) and explores topics like brain plasticity, sensory system adaptation, and genomic responses to environmental pressures. Dr. Uy’s research group actively accepts PhD students and utilizes a variety of methodologies, including neurogenomic analyses and behavioral experiments. While no specific grants or awards are listed, her publications highlight contributions to understanding social behavior mechanisms in insects.
Roelof Hut is a Professor of Chronobiology at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GIELS). He leads the Hut Lab - Chronobiology, focusing on circadian rhythms, photoperiodism, and evolutionary adaptations to environmental timing cues. His roles include Chair of the International Hibernation Society and editorial board memberships for Journal of Biological Rhythms , Journal of Circadian Rhythms , and Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution . Research interests span chronobiology, evolutionary biology, and neurophysiology, with a focus on circadian entrainment mechanisms, seasonal timing in animals, and the impacts of light on physiology and behavior. He has contributed to projects like the NWA-funded BioClock initiative, investigating circadian clocks in modern society and light’s role in human health. Key collaborations include studies on light entrainment in insects, stress effects on circadian clocks, and the genomic basis of climate adaptation in species like the winter moth. His work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing health and environmental sustainability. Roelof Hut has held postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Virginia and Inserm (France), and his research outputs include over 115 peer-reviewed articles. He is actively involved in public outreach, addressing topics like daylight exposure’s cognitive effects and the societal implications of circadian misalignment.
Hans Smid is a researcher at Wageningen University & Research working in the Laboratory of Entomology. He holds a doctorate and serves as a research supervisor and collaborator on multiple projects focusing on insect behavior, particularly parasitoid wasps and their interactions with host plants and insects. Dr. Smid's research focuses on several key areas in entomology and insect neuroscience: Parasitoid wasp behavior and biological control applications Olfactory learning and memory in insects Neural mechanisms underlying insect behavior Plant-insect interactions, particularly in agricultural contexts Neuroethology of small-brained insects Brain size evolution in parasitic wasps His recent work shows a strong emphasis on understanding how insects like Pieris brassicae butterflies and Cotesia glomerata wasps use olfactory cues in their foraging and oviposition behaviors. This research has important implications for developing more sustainable agricultural practices through biological control methods, as evidenced by his 2024 publication on strawberry cultivation and parasitic wasp attraction. Dr. Smid's research has generated significant attention, with his work being picked up by 4 news outlets, posted by 9 X users, and shared on Facebook pages, indicating broad interest in his findings. His publications have accumulated readers on Mendeley and citations in Scopus. As a research supervisor, Dr. Smid has guided multiple PhD students including J. de Bruijn and J. Groothuis through their doctoral work. His collaborative approach is evident in the numerous multi-investigator projects he participates in, often working alongside colleagues like Marcel Dicke and Louise Vet. Current active projects include 'Apport, parasitic wasps as biodetectors' and 'Smart parasitoids: effective biological control.' Dr. Smid maintains an active research profile with continuous output, including multiple publications in 2024. His work bridges basic research on insect behavior with practical agricultural applications, demonstrating the real-world impact of entomological research.
Josie Clowney is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan, where she has held faculty position since 2017. Her research investigates the genomic algorithms that construct neural circuits during development, using Drosophila as a model to study how chemosensory systems drive both instinctual behaviors and learning. She teaches Bio 172 and an upper-level seminar on cellular diversity and scientific writing, and mentors graduate students through MCDB, CMB, NGP, and BIOINF PhD programs. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (2012) from the University of California, San Francisco B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology (2005) from the University of Michigan, where she conducted research with Cunming Duan Clowney's research centers on understanding how definitive neuronal parameters are encoded in genomic information and translated into cellular architectures. Her lab hypothesizes that developmental algorithms for learning circuits versus instinctual circuits differ fundamentally in their genomic requirements, with chemosensory circuits serving as key models. Using fruit flies for their tractable brain organization, her work bridges computational principles and biological implementation to uncover universal brain organization rules. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2016-2025) reveals consistent focus on Drosophila mushroom body development, neural sexual differentiation, and spatial constraints in circuit formation. Key themes include non-deterministic mechanisms diversifying cell surface expression, chromatin dynamics in circadian regulation, and how input density tunes sensory responses. Her work integrates genomics, neuroanatomy, and behavior to model how compact genomic information generates complex neural architectures. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Dr. Clowney advises graduate students through multiple PhD programs at the University of Michigan, though specific student names and grant details are not provided in the source material. Her teaching includes foundational undergraduate coursework and advanced seminars emphasizing scientific writing. The active publication record spanning 2016-2025 indicates sustained research funding supporting her lab's investigations into neural circuit development. The Clowney Lab, housed in the Biological Sciences Building (4218 BSB), employs Drosophila genetics and neuroanatomical techniques to dissect developmental algorithms of brain wiring. Current projects explore how spatial constraints structure learning circuits, mechanisms of neural sexual differentiation, and the genomic encoding of circuit diversity. The lab collaborates within Michigan's neuroscience community through the Program in Biology and participates in interdisciplinary initiatives studying brain evolution and function.
Dan Cox serves as Dean of Natural Sciences in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Wake Forest University and a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from Duke University, where he was an NIH pre-doctoral fellow. His postdoctoral training included a Jane Coffin Childs Fellowship and HHMI Research Associate position at UCSF. His educational trajectory includes: B.S. magna cum laude with honors in Biology, Wake Forest University (1992) Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center (1999) Postdoctoral training: Jane Coffin Childs Fellow & HHMI Research Associate, UCSF (2000-2004) Cox leads an internationally recognized neuroscience research program focused on neuronal diversity, circuit construction, and neural mechanisms of behavior—particularly pain perception and sensory neuropathies. His expertise spans neurobiology, cell biology, genetics, and computational modeling, with emphasis on multimodal sensory processing and brain plasticity. His lab has maintained continuous NIH funding for 20 years. His recent publications reveal dual research thrusts: fluid dynamics studies on drag reduction in pipe flows (examining vortex dynamics, Reynolds number effects, and wall oscillation techniques) and genetic engineering work including CRISPR-Cas9 delivery systems for immune system gene screening. This combination reflects interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering and biological domains. Key recognitions include: NIH pre-doctoral fellowship Jane Coffin Childs Fellowship for Medical Research HHMI Research Associate appointment Cox demonstrates exceptional commitment to mentoring across career stages and advancing student success through innovative pedagogies. His leadership extends to directing research centers, imaging facilities, and graduate programs—including roles as Director of the Center for Neuromics and Neuroscience Institute at Georgia State University. His NIH-funded research supports extensive interdisciplinary collaboration and training initiatives. Throughout his career, Cox has cultivated collaborative research environments through leadership in core facilities and interdisciplinary clusters, notably directing the 2CI Neurogenomics Fellowship and Brains & Behavior initiatives. His current deanship emphasizes cross-college research integration within ASU's liberal arts framework.
Heath MacMillan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Carleton University, Faculty of Science. His research focuses on integrative insect physiology, particularly how environmental stressors like extreme temperatures, microplastics, and dietary changes affect molecular, biochemical, and whole-organism performance. Research Themes: Cold tolerance mechanisms, ionoregulatory collapse, microplastic pollution impacts, thermal acclimation physiology, and nutritional ecology for edible insects. Model Systems: Drosophila melanogaster, Gryllodes sigillatus, Aedes aegypti, and tropical butterflies. Techniques: Transcriptomics, metabolomics, in vitro osmoregulation assays, thermal gradient devices, and fluorescent microplastic tracking. His lab collaborates with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Dr. Jennifer Provencher, and Entomo Farms to address both fundamental physiological questions and applied problems in sustainable insect protein production. Current work explores how thermal plasticity and cross-tolerance mechanisms interact with ecological stressors like hypoxia and desiccation. Publications highlight his team's development of the ionoregulatory collapse model for cold tolerance, discovery of microplastic impacts on cricket growth, and characterization of thermal acclimation's role in maintaining central nervous system function. Research integrates molecular mechanisms with ecological predictions about species distribution and abundance under climate change. Lab opportunities emphasize collaborative, interdisciplinary work across physiology, biochemistry, and ecology. Graduate students and postdocs are encouraged to develop independent projects within the lab's existing frameworks. Undergraduates gain hands-on experience through volunteer work and independent studies.
Cassandra G. Extavour is the Timken Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and is affiliated with Harvard College. Her research focuses on the evolution and development of germ cells and reproductive systems in arthropods, particularly exploring mechanisms of germ cell specification and the evolutionary transitions in developmental processes. Extavour's work integrates molecular genetics, comparative embryology, and evolutionary theory to study model organisms like spiders, crickets, and fruit flies. She leads the Extavour Lab at Harvard's Biological Laboratories, which collaborates with institutions globally. Notable contributions include discoveries about germ cell specification diversity across arthropods and the role of developmental constraints in life-history evolution. Her educational roles include teaching courses on invertebrate biology and integrated science at Harvard. Recent accolades include her HHMI Investigator status and recognition in Quanta Magazine for career contributions. The lab actively engages in genomic projects, such as cricket genome analysis, and explores molecular mechanisms underlying evolutionary innovations. Students and postdocs in her lab investigate topics ranging from germ line determinants to symbiotic influences on gene evolution.
