Yi Wang

My scientific interest focusses on how behavior is generated and modulated by the brain. From an evolutionary point of view, all animals including insects need to adapt behavior to the changing environment to increase the chances of survival. Specifically, I am studying the circadian timing of eclosion behavior by dissecting the interaction of circadian clocks and the endocrine system. These interactions ensure that the animals emerge at the right time as successful eclosion behavior is vital to enter the reproductive state. I am also using an open field assay to assess mechanisms modulating centrophobism. All my studies are performed on the model organism Drosophila melanogaster because of the reduced neuronal complexity and the powerful genetic tools available for this model compared to other vertebrate animals, like humans.