Craig Montell

Research Overview

Dr. Montell's laboratory focuses on the mechanisms that animals use sense the outside world, and how they modify their behaviors based on their sensory experience. As animals age, their sensory acuity changes, as well as behavioral responses that are influenced by external stimuli, such as sleep and nociception. In addition, aging increases the risk of neurodegeneration. To study these problems Dr. Montell and his team are focusing on the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as well as the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which spreads the viruses that cause dengue and other diseases.