Expertise
Research Interests
My primary research interest is to understand the molecular basis of the aging process, especially with respect to the biochemistry of metabolism and behavior. We use the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as our preferred animal model. Drosophila has been used for more than 100 years in research and thus represents the oldest animal model of the modern research era. Work in fruit flies was instrumental in elucidating the principles of modern genetics and developmental biology.
Interestingly, evidence suggests that social behaviors, such as mating, may be able to influence aging and longevity. Therefore, it may be possible to directly intervene in signaling pathways that modulate social behaviors and thus alter animal life span. Recently, we have found manipulation of pheromones, small molecules that modulate animal behavior, can substantially alter animal longevity. We are now investigating the role of these molecules in the modulation of behavior and longevity.