Craig Montell

Research Interests

My laboratory focuses on the control of animal behavior and decision making in response to sensory input. In particular, we are interested in how animals such as the fruit fly choose their favorite temperatures and foods, select mates, and avoid noxious temperatures, smells and flavors. We have identified a variety of Drosophila TRP channels and other ion channels and sensory receptors that regulate animal behaviors ranging from thermotaxis, to feeding behaviors, olfactory avoidance, and courtship behavior. Recently, we have expanded our research program to include studying the behavior of Aedes aegypti, and mechanisms to suppress this mosquito, which spreads diseases such as Dengue and Zika. Our long-term goal is to explain the complete cellular and molecular mechanisms through which different sensory inputs are received, integrated in the brain, and regulate an animal’s plastic behavioral responses to a changing environment.