Dr. Robert Froemke

Biography

Robert C. Froemke is a Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and holds the Skirball Professorship of Genetics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. His research focuses on the study of how biological systems adapt, learn, and improve behavior, primarily using the auditory cortex of rodents as a model. He employs techniques such as in vivo whole-cell recording, two-photon microscopy, and long-term behavioral monitoring to explore complex questions surrounding auditory perception, synaptic plasticity, and maternal behavior. His investigations aim to understand the role of oxytocin in maternal physiology and how it facilitates parental care and the development of alloparenting skills in animals. Furthermore, Froemke studies the balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs in neural circuits and how neuromodulators like acetylcholine and dopamine influence synaptic plasticity to improve sensory perception. He has published extensively on the interactions between neural circuitry and behavior, providing insights into essential neuroplasticity mechanisms critical for learning and adaptation in both animal models and human applications.

Research Interests