Overview of research:

Many people assume that animals view the world similarly to humans, but this is far from the case. Instead variation in eye structure, physiology, and neurobiology lead to drastic differences in what stimuli animals detect. These differences span multiple aspects of vision, including the conspicuousness of colors, the fineness or coarseness of stimuli, or even in what conditions eyes can function. But what impact do these differences have on an animal's behavior, and ultimately their evolution? 

​

Students in the Brandley Lab seek to better understand the link between sensory physiology and behavior. We primarily study vision including both its spatial (visual acuity) and color aspects. Around half of students work with local band-winged grasshoppers, while other Independent Study projects have used a variety of student driven subjects. Regardless of animal, our research examines how differences in sensory physiology limit behaviors, and ultimately evolutionary outcomes.

Undergraduates please click on the research categories below for more information about the lab and the types of Independent Study projects we support. I'm also always happy to talk about any physiology or behavior related projects.