Research
Our research focuses on how motor skills emerge through dynamic reorganization of cortical and subcortical circuits, and how stress and HPA-axis physiology disrupt these mechanisms
​​Our work combines cutting-edge systems neuroscience approaches, including chronic two-photon imaging, holographic optogenetics, and circuit-specific manipulations, with innovative behavioral paradigms designed to probe exploration and motor learning.
​By applying a systems-level perspective to stress, traditionally studied through endocrine or behavioral lenses, we aim to reveal how emotional and physiological states influence the neural circuits that govern learning, resilience, and motivated action.
Ultimately, our goal is to uncover general principles of adaptive plasticity across movement, motivation, and stress, paving the way for precise, circuit-based interventions that promote healthy brain function.