Mentor Areas
We use a combination of behavioral, electrophysiological, optogenetic and computational approaches to understand the mechanisms underlying sleep in the mammalian brain and its function in health and disease.
Description:
We are studying in the mouse the neural circuits controlling sleep and brain state transitions. Key elements in our research are electrophysiological in vivo recordings, video recordings to classify behaviors and optogenetic manipulation of defined neural circuits in freely moving mice. We are looking for students with a strong background in programming (python), microcomputer programming (raspberry pi, arduino) and interest in systems neuroscience (no background needed) to develop software to control electrophysiological and behavioral recordings in mice. The experiments carried out using this software will help to elucidate the neural circuits underlying the control of sleep and brain state transitions in the mammalian brain.
Preferred Qualifications
Students will implement software in python to operate amplifiers for electrophysiological recordings, to control cameras for monitoring mouse behaviors and to operate lasers for optogenetic stimulation using microcomputers (raspberry pi, arduino). Students must be prepared to commit at least 10hours per week.
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.