We are studying the role of serotonin neurons in mediating the effects of acidosis on brain function and behavior. We have shown that serotonin neurons are exquisitely sensitive to changes in pH. They are close to large arteries in the brain and contribute to the increase in breathing induced by...

My research focuses on the cortical mechanisms subserving human language and vocalization. Major goals of the research are to understand the representation of self-vocalization stimuli in primary and associated auditory cortices, elucidate and characterize the cortico-cortical interactions between...

We are interested in how humans carry out and maintain goal-directed behaviors and how the cognitive system resolves challenges to this goal. Common examples of such challenges are unexpected events and action errors. As part of this effort, we investigate the dynamic interplay between brain...

Alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and the medical complications of excessive drinking are major world-wide health problems. There are three long-term goals of my laboratory: (1) Alcohol exposure during development results in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and induces profound damages to the...

In the lab, we use genetic techniques to isolate and manipulate neurons that mediate basic physiologic functions including sleep, appetite, bladder control, and thermoregulation. My focus lies in identifying and deciphering previously unknown connections between neurons in the brainstem and other...

One of the primary areas of research in my laboratory is elucidating the genetic basis of neurological disorders, including epilepsy, Alzheimer’s Disease, and neurodevelopmental disorders. We have found that mutations in the prickle gene cause seizure disorders in fruit flies, similar to those...

The Hwang Lab conducts research to discover the neural, cognitive, and developmental dynamics of cognitive control. Specifically, we are interested in the neural architecture and dynamic processes that allow brain networks to select, inhibit, transfer, and integrate information for goal-directed...

My long-term goal is to understand the cerebellar contribution to cognition. In pursuit of this goal, I combine neurophysiology, pharmacology and optogenetics in animals performing cognitive tasks to dissect cerebellar neural circuitry. I study the potential for cerebellar stimulation to rescue...

Every developing animal must learn to function within the context of an ever-changing body. Typically, investigations of sensorimotor development focus on waking movements. We consider another class of behavior: Twitching movements that occur exclusively during active (or REM) sleep. Twitches are...

Our lab is interested in understanding the genetic basis of complex behaviors or brain functions, such as learning and memory, sleep and mood. In order to elucidate fundamental mechanisms underlying the control of these behaviors, we take advantage of the power of the Drosophila (fruit fly) genetics...