Melina Hale (mhale@uchicago.edu)
Organismal Biology and Anatomy
Committee on Neurobiology
Our research integrates biomechanics and neurobiology to study how axial movements are generated and coordinated. Although we focus on the zebrafish larval stage as a model system, we also examine motor control through development and across the phylogeny of fishes. Of particular interest behaviorally are the startle response and rhythmic swimming behaviors of fishes. These behaviors provide excellent model systems for examining motor control and the mechanics of axial movement. Because the startle response involves a discrete behavior, large neurons and simple neural circuits, it has been important in studies of motor control.  Because it is critical for survival and involves maximal performance, it has been important for work on muscle physiology and performance.  Rhythmic axial and fin swimming has long been studied in lampreys and tadpoles to examine central pattern generation in spinal circuits and in a wide diversity of fishes to understand the relationship between morphology and movement.

Hilary Bierman (hilaryb@uchicago.edu)
Committee on Neurobiology
My work focuses on descending excitatory spinalinterneurons. Several classes of these interneurons, including CiDs and commissural McoDs, have been described and shown to be active during different behaviors.  I am interested in how these cells may provide an alternate descending pathway parallel to reticular-spinal cells and maybe important for between segment coordination during behavior.

Jens Paul (jcpaul@uchicago.edu)
Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy
I am interested in the integration of neural circuitry of the vertebrate hindbrain and its role in axial locomotion. I also have a broader interest in axial mucle organization (design) and swimming performance in undulatory species. I am studying the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) model system.

Dean Thorsen (thorsen@uchicago.edu)
Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy
I am interested in integrating functional morphology with comparative neurobiology to understand the mechanisms by which fishes utilize and control their limbs (pectoral fins) through development. I am studying the development of the musculoskeletal and neuromorphology of the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) pectoral fin, motoneurons servicing the fin and candidate interneurons involved in the fin circuit.

Ru Yi Teow (ruyi@uchicago.edu)
Ru Yi graduated with B.S. from Beloit College, Wisconsin. His previous research experience was in the area of membrane chemistry. His current interest is the relation of the neural circuits and the behaviors of zebrafish.