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David J. Anderson is a Seymour Benzer Professor in Biology, the Neuroscience Leadership Chair at the Tianqiao Chrissy Chen Institute, an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the Director of the Tianqiao Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). His research centers around the genetic dissection of neural circuits that control emotional behaviors, focusing on understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of fear, anxiety, and aggression. Anderson's lab utilizes various model systems, including mice and Drosophila melanogaster, to unravel the complexities of emotional behavior and its underlying neuronal circuitry. His work aims to provide insights into how genetic and environmental factors shape emotional responses, potentially leading to novel therapeutic approaches for psychiatric disorders. He has made significant contributions to understanding the functions of the amygdala in fear responses and has pioneered studies on the neurobiology of aggressive behavior, applying advanced techniques such as optogenetics and pharmacogenetics to explore neuronal dynamics in emotion-related circuits.
California Institute of Technology • Pasadena, CA
Leading research on emotional behaviors and neural circuit dynamics.
Tianqiao Chrissy Chen Institute Neuroscience • Pasadena, CA
Director of the institute focusing on neuroscience research.
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