We are using a unique avian model to understand how genotype determines behavioral phenotype. Our model is one of very few that connect gene sequence with behavior in free-living animals.

Conspecific vocalizations are inherently rewarding. We are studying the neural mechanisms that confer incentive salience to auditory signals and how that salience changes with experience and hormonal state.

We seek to understand how the brain uses environmental cues to orchestrate adaptive changes.