Our overarching goal is to understand the principles governing how sensory information is acquired and processed, and how properties of the nervous system, body structure, and behavior interact to shape sensory feedback. We study sensory feedback used to guide flight in insects to examine these questions.
Identifying stimulus features encoded by sensory neurons. Which patterns of wing bending are encoded by sensory neurons? How do neurons respond during natural behaviors?
Understanding the role of behavior and body structure in determining available sensory information. Do wing movements and structural qualities transform sensory inputs in a way that limits or aids sensing?
Identifying principles of sparse, efficient, and robust sensing. Are sensory structures positioned in particularly informative or robust locations? Which principles from animal sensory systems can be implemented to improve engineered systems?