Associate Investigator

Contact Information:
Tel: (510) 985-3823
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The fruit fly Drosophila encounters abundant ethanol in its natural food sources and has evolved sophisticated responses to ethanol that in many ways appear analogous to those in humans. We are using the awesome power of forward and reverse genetics to identify genes and neural circuits that mediate behavioral adaptation, such as tolerance, to repeated ethanol exposures. Concurrently, we are screening for genes involved in feeding behavior with the goal of finding reward circuits that contribute to the pleasurable effects of food and drugs.