Elizabeth McCullagh

The goal of my lab, and my research interests, are to understand how the brain processes sound location information. I explore central sound source processing three ways: 1. By manipulating the brain using modern neuroscience techniques such as optogenetics, rabies neural circuit tracing, auditory brainstem responses, and spatial acuity behavior, 2. Using disorders, such as autism (Fragile X Syndrome), with auditory components to understand how the auditory brain functions both in this disorders and also how it can inform the underlying processing of auditory information in health 3. Using novel model organisms and their unique adaptations to their environment to better understand how the brainstem has evolved to suit an organism's unique challenges for processing sound source information. These different areas of research work in synergy to probe (1) and understand (2,3) how the brain processes sound location information using integrative and multidisciplinary approaches.