I lead a research group focused on the structure and function of neuromodulators. These neurotransmitters—such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine—are released by a small number of neurons (less than 0.001% of the neurons in our brain) with broad projections to most of the nervous system. They bind to a variety of receptors on neurons and glia, modulating membranes and synapses on multiple timescales. These systems are largely conserved across vertebrates and have diverse functions in behavior, including modulating sleep-wake cycles, homeostasis, learning, sensation, and movement. My group focuses on the structure and function of these systems in mice, including how they modulate dynamics in the cortex and basal ganglia.
