Research

1. Specialized connections for auditory-vocal learning. 
We have collected some first data demonstrating sparse neuronal projections from the zebra finch NCM, a brain region that is important for tutor song memory, to HVC, a premotor brain region that is important for singing. We are interested in the functional role of this connection, and plan to study this further in our group.

2. A comparative approach to study mechanisms for neural control of vocalization in humans and songbirds. 
The aim of this collaborative project with Assistant Professor Defne Abur’s lab (Computational Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen) is to study the neural mechanisms for vocal-motor control as a function of aging in human subjects and a songbird animal model. Our goal is to leverage strengths of animal and human models of vocalization to shed light on behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying speech disruptions in Parkinson’s disease (e.g., reduced loudness and impaired pitch control). We received a seed grant from the BCN research school to establish this collaboration and to start collecting comparative data.

3. We are currently setting up to record zebra finches’ neuronal activity during song learning using miniature microscopes.