Parrots, songbirds have evolved distinct brain mechanisms, Klarman Fellow finds
The study provides a clue into how parrot – and human – brains allow continuous, flexible vocal learning.
Sea fireflies synchronize their sparkle to seek soulmates
Nicholai M. Hensley, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior is the lead author of the mating ritual of ostracods, titled, "Collective synchrony of mating signals modulated by ecological cues and social signals in bioluminescent sea fireflies" in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Hensley, quoted as saying, “It’s an illustration of convergent evolution and a striking example of synchronized bioluminescent mating displays. The males are putting it all out on the dance floor. It’s a big bright display.”
Service to science: Two veterans find purpose in neuroscience
Caleb Jones, a military veteran, studies with Meinig School graduate field member Jesse Goldberg, associate professor of neurobiology and behavior in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences. Jones is quoted as saying, “Neuropsychiatric illnesses were the most interesting to me, so I decided to study neuroscience.”
In a first, memory shown to have two distinct past and future paths
Cornell University Scientists reveal that the hippocampus region of the brain has two separate parts. One that remembers the past and one that can plan for the future. Antonio Fernandez -Ruiz; Nancy and Peter Meinig Family Investigator in the Life Sciences, Assistant Professor in neurobiology and behavior is quoted as saying, “We uncovered that two different neural codes support these very important aspects of memory and cognition, and can be dissociated, as we did experimentally.”
Role of hippocampus in two functions of memory revealed
The finding has important implications for one day treating memory and learning issues found in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
As Pew investigator, Goldberg to study how animals feed young
The collaboration aims for a breakthrough in understanding the neural mechanisms by which parental animals balance their own needs with the needs of their offspring.
Nilay Yapici
Would you like to learn how Nilay Yapici, Nancy and Peter Meinig Family Investigator in the Life Sciences, Assistant Professor of the neurobiology and behavior department became interested in biology or why she studies neuroscience? To learn more, please read Current Biology.
Antonio Fernandez-Ruiz receives NIH award for ‘transformational’ project
Neuroscientist Antonio Fernandez-Ruiz has received a New Innovator Director’s Award from the National Institutes of Health’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research program.
The Neurobiology Of Changing Priorities In A Songbird
Dopamine neurons fire differently when there are multiple rewards. Professor Goldberg, associate professor of neurobiology and behavior and Robert R. Capranica Fellow in the College of Arts and Sciences stated, “What we did that was new to my knowledge, is we were less interested in how an animal achieves a given objective and more interested in what happens when multiple objectives are on the table”.
When needs compete, love trumps thirst
When a lonely and thirsty male zebra finch encountered a female, his thirst waned and he instead focused his attention on her, a shift reflected in the dopamine system.
Fulbright-Hays awardees prioritize community-engaged discoveries
The competitive fellowships send PhD students abroad for up to 12 months to build on their language proficiency, engage with other cultures and complete significant dissertation research on global cultures and societies.
Over 80 students receive NSF graduate fellowships
Eighty-four students have been selected as National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) fellows in 2023, comprising the largest group of new fellows Cornell has ever fielded in one year.
The College welcomes new faculty for 2023-24
Our 34 new faculty will enrich the College of Arts & Sciences with creative ideas in a vast array of topics.
New research sheds light on origins of social behaviors
The fruit fly’s visual system, not just chemical receptors, are deeply involved with their social behaviors.
New Faculty: Madineh Sedigh-Sarvestani
Madineh Sedigh-Sarvestani, Neurobiology and Behavior
Undergrads relish challenging Nexus Scholar projects
Nexus Scholars spent eight weeks this summer working with researchers on campus on projects in the humanities, social sciences and physical sciences.
Staff Graduates celebrate academic achievements
The Division of Human Resources and the Employee Assembly hosted the 26th annual Staff Graduate Reception on June 14 in Stocking Hall, honoring staff who earned collegiate degrees this year, either at Cornell or another institution.For some graduates, a degree offers the chance to explore new careers and job opportunities. Jeremy Cusker, a technician in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, completed a certificate program in biotechnology from Tompkins Cortland Community College, which enabled him to shift from working in libraries to working in labs.
Two from Cornell named HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholars
Two Cornell faculty members are among 31 early-career academics from across the U.S. who have been named Freeman Hrabowski Scholars by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), in recognition of their potential to become leaders in their research fields and to create diverse, equitable and inclusive lab environments where everyone can thrive.
‘Smartphone face’: why do some people look more modern than others?
Have our faces evolved to look more modern? According to Michael Sheehan, Nancy and Peter Meinig Family Investigator in the Life Sciences, associate professor of neurobiology and behavior, "“The perceived differences in appearance of people between the mid-20th century and now is almost certainly the result of stylistic, grooming or diet changes rather than facial evolution.”
Diversity of neurons affects memory, study finds
Neurons in a key area of the brain have different functions based on their exact genetic identity, and understanding this diversity could lead to better understanding of the brain’s computational flexibility and memory capacity, potentially informing disease treatment options, Cornell researchers report in a new study.
Pollinators are attracted to humidity, not just scent
Humidity is as important as scent in attracting pollinators to a plant, new Cornell-led research finds, advancing basic biology and opening new avenues to support agriculture.
Diversity of neurons affects memory, study finds
Understanding this diversity could lead to better knowledge of the brain’s computational flexibility and memory capacity.
NBB Awards 2022-23
It is time to recognize the notable awards/honors garnered by NBB students and faculty over the past year.
$2.5M in A&S New Frontier Grants supports bold projects
A&S faculty members will delve into questions ranging from quantum computing to foreign policy development and from heritage forensics to effects of climate change.
Nexus Scholars Program expands research opportunities to 101 students
This summer, 101 students in the College of Arts and Sciences will take part in groundbreaking research on campus with 61 faculty as part of the Nexus Scholars Program.
Klarman Fellow studies vocal learning in parrots
By studying the brain mechanisms of vocal learning in budgies, Zhilei Zhao explores how social learning is implemented in the brain.
Brain Prize winner to speak on brain’s control of locomotion
Understanding locomotion can unveil fundamental principles of how our nervous systems generate behavior and lead to treatment for human movement disorders.
10 researchers named inaugural Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellows
Planning to harness the power of AI are A&S researchers from physics; ecology and evolutionary biology; chemistry and chemical biology; and neurobiology and behavior
Imaging captures social dynamics of 'pee-shy' mice
Cornell research is shining a new light – via thermal imaging of mice – on how urine scent mark behavior changes depending on shifting social conditions.
Researchers create custom technology in quest to understand memory
A pair of researchers in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior are designing new technology and research methods to discover how brain circuits support learning and memory.
Campus rallies to support Syria, Turkey earthquake survivors
With about 70 students on campus from Syria and Turkey affected by the devastation in their countries, students, faculty and administrators have mobilized to create relief efforts.
With love and duty, retired academics give back to Cornell
CAPE helps retired faculty transition and still help students. Charles Walcott, professor emeritus of neurobiology and behavior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is quoted as saying “because faculty feel as they retire they’re going to lose the interaction with colleagues and students and staff which makes the Cornell experience so wonderful. What CAPE tries to do is help them through that transition, by pointing out that in general you can continue on but with greater freedom to do what you want.”
A&S welcomes 10 new Klarman Fellows to expanded program
The fourth cohort of Klarman Fellows is the largest since the program’s launch in 2019.
17 Researchers from U.S., Canada Awarded Scialog: Molecular Basis of Cognition Funding
Antonio Fernandez-Ruis, Nancy and Peter Meinig Family Investigator in the Life Sciences, Assistant Professor from Neurobiology & Behavior has been recognized by Scialog: Molecular Basis of Cognition Funding.
Fruit flies use two muscles to control pitch for stable flight
The finding provides evidence for an organizational principle in which each muscle has a specific function in flight control.
Goldberg shares research at Russekoff lecture
The Mitzi Sutton Russekoff ’54 Lecture took place Nov. 15 at the Cornell Club in New York City.
Students can now choose new minor in data science
The minor is distinctive in including courses from many disciplines, from across Cornell’s schools and colleges.
Nexus Scholar applications open for summer 2023
The program matches undergraduate students with summer opportunities to work side by side with faculty from across the College.
Cornell joins Schmidt AI in Science postdoc research initiative
Cornell, including A&S, will recruit and train a cohort of up to 100 postdoctoral fellows in the fields of natural sciences and engineering.
Pollack lauds ‘amazing Cornellians’ in State of the University speech
Cornell's president highlighted recent achievements of Arts and Sciences faculty.
Pollack lauds ‘amazing Cornellians’ in State of the University speech
Antonio Fernandez-Ruiz, Nancy and Peter Meinig Family Investigator in the Life Sciences, Assistant Professor for Neurobiology and Behavior was recognized during the State of the University annual address for winning the 2022 Freedman Prize for Exceptional Basic Research from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
A once-obscure type of beekeeping could help save colonies
Embracing Darwinian beekeeping may help honeybee colonies survive. According to Tom Seeley, Horace White Professor in Biology, “If you let an animal live naturally, it is able to use its full toolbox and set of skills to survive and reproduce, but when you take any kind of animal and you force it to live in a different way, those tools aren’t allowed to function very well.” To read the full article in The Washington Post.
These Spiders Use Their Webs like Huge, Silky Ears
Webs from Orb-weaving spiders pick up sounds from there webs. Ron Hoy, Dr. David and Dorothy Joslovitz Merksamer Professor of Biological Science says "We’re talking about quite a spectacular web. It’s this wheel-shaped web that is around upstate New York…if you walk through any field, you’ve either gonna walk through one or you’re gonna see it and avoid it because they’re big. It can get as big as a yard or a meter across." To Listen to the podcast or read the article in Scientific American"
Klarman Fellow tracks impact of social bonds on animal health
“My focus is on how an animal’s mother can impact a wide range of outcomes: in childhood, adulthood, and even between generations."
Woody Harrelson Writes 'Wholesome' Poem for 'Adorable' Baby Doppelganger
Woody Harrelson writes a poem about his doppleganger, who happens to be a baby. Dr. Michael Sheehan, Nancy and Peter Meinig Family Investigator in the Life Sciences, Assistant Professor from Cornell University in 2015 speaking to Live Sciences is quoted as saying, "There is only so much genetic diversity to go around. If you shuffle that deck of cards so many times, at some point, you get the same hand dealt to you twice...If you have enough people, you're going to end up with someone who doesn't look so crazily different." To read the full article: Newsweek
Study finds tiny brain area controls work for rewards
The discovery has implications for psychiatric disorders, particularly depression and anxiety.
Neuroscientist receives Freedman Prize
Antonio Fernandez-Ruiz has been awarded the 2022 Freedman Prize, which recognizes exceptional clinical and basic research in mental illness.
A&S opens application portal for Klarman postdoc fellowships
Klarman Fellows pursue research in any discipline in the College, including natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and the creative arts as well as cross-disciplinary fields. The application deadline is October 14.
NBB's Antonio Fernandez-Ruiz is the 2022 Freedman Prizewinner for Exceptional Basic Research
Antonio Fernandez-Ruiz, PhD from Neurobiology and Behavior has won the 2022 Freedman Prizewinner for Exceptional Basic Research.
Training beekeepers is labour of love for retired Nairn neonatal nurse
A gift of an observation hive from Thomas Seeley, Horace White Professor in Biology, Professor Emeritus from Cornell University to Ann Chilcott, chairwoman of the Nairn and District Beekeeper’s Association has proved helpful in showing how Bees work. To read the full article: The Press and Journal.Photo credit to Matt Hayes