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Steve Flavell joined the faculty of MIT in 2016 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Dr. Cori Bargmann’s lab at Rockefeller University. He earned his B.A. from Oberlin College and his Ph.D. from Harvard University under Dr. Michael Greenberg. His research, conducted at the Flavell Lab, focuses on deciphering the fundamental neural mechanisms that underlie the generation of long-lasting behavioral states. This work primarily investigates neuromodulatory systems that control arousal, motivation, and mood in organisms. Major aspects of Flavell’s research include uncovering novel molecular mechanisms that allow gut signals to activate these neuromodulatory systems and exploring how circuit-level mechanisms for neuromodulator release alter neural circuit dynamics. His investigations utilize the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to simplify the complexities of studying interactions among neuromodulators, neural circuits, and behavioral states. The lab employs quantitative behavioral analyses and advanced techniques such as in vivo calcium imaging and optogenetics to map the neural circuits responsible for different behavioral states. Flavell’s contributions to neuroscience have been recognized with numerous national awards, and he has been named an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute effective in 2024.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Cambridge, MA
Joined the faculty to lead research on neural mechanisms of behavior.