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Mentor Areas

The lab is interested in understanding how the brain processes information from the external world to facilitate appropriate behavioral responses that are necessary for survival. We study robust and essential behaviors such as feeding and drinking that are necessary for survival since the neural circuits that influence these behaviors are likely to be conserved. Interacting with the environment to satisfy needs requires complex and flexible behavioral responses. The probability of an animal engaging in adaptive behaviors to resolve these survival needs is influenced by activity in neural circuits that respond to both internal cues and changes in the external environment. Dysfunction in these networks leads to improper decisions and has consequences for human health. Decoding the neural basis of survival behaviors and the circuitry that prioritizes signals of need will increase our understanding of how the brain guides behavior in a complex environment.

Description:

We are always looking for interested students to be involved in behavioral studies. Please contact us for more information, but a minimum time commitment (~10 hours a week) and scheduling flexibility to fit the study is necessary. Projects run year round. Other projects involve developing tools for the lab (behavioral apparatus, coding, and engineering skills are required) and histology/microscopy.

There are volunteer, work study and paid positions available. Please contact us for more information.

*Unfortunately we can not take additional students for remote projects.*

Preferred Qualifications

We typically engage undergraduates as Freshman and Sophomores who would like to become part of our research program for the next couple of years and ultimately perform an independent study as Seniors.

Project Website

Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here.
Betley Lab

Details:

Preferred Student Year

First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior

Academic Term

Fall, Spring, Summer

I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).

Volunteer

Yes

Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.

Paid

Yes

Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.

Work Study

Yes

Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.

Researcher