Neuroethology is a rapidly expanding and exciting field that lies at the crossroads of classical ethology and neuroscience. Neuroethologists seek to understand how animal nervous systems are organized to generate behaviour, and how the process of evolution has shaped neural circuits of different species living in unique habitats. Necessarily, the field is multidisciplinary, integrating concepts from a broad range of fields, including animal behaviour, neuroscience, comparative physiology, and genetics.
In my laboratory we are broadly interested in how insects use their sensory systems to detect and process information from their natural environments to promote adaptive behaviours. We employ a variety of methodologies in acoustics, comparative neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, and animal behaviour to form an integrated view of an animal’s sensory experience. The central focus of my research program is on sound and vibration communication in insects. Three current areas of study include:
Outside of these areas, students in my laboratory have worked on a range of projects, from developing molecular phylogenies to learn about the origins of acoustic communication signals, to ‘grunting’ for earthworms by enticing them to surface using seismic vibrations.
I am happy to accept graduate and undergraduate students generally interested in the field of insect neuroethology. Students may choose to work in the laboratory, field, or a combination of the two. Note that some projects involving behaviour must be carried out during the summer or early fall, so students interested in field work should consult with me during the winter or early spring. Please contact me at jayne.yack [at] carleton.ca if you have any questions. If you are interested in graduate studies, please also consult the admission requirements.