Misha Ahrens investigates how large neuronal populations collaborate to enable flexible behavior in animals. Using zebrafish as a model organism, Ahrens and his multidisciplinary team use modern microscopy, computational approaches, quantitative studies of behavior, genetic profiling, and electron microscopy to work towards a holistic understanding of the brain and behavior. They develop experimental and analytical approaches to map – in real and virtual reality environments – how different areas of the central nervous system work together to enable flexible behavior, such as motor learning, behavioral state switching, and associative learning. The team also investigates brain-wide circuit mechanisms, including communication between astrocytes and neurons, underlying such behaviors.
Janelia scientists are learning how animals adjust their physical exertion as changes in the environment or their own bodies alter how efficiently they move.  Big data can mean big headaches for scientists. A new library of software tools from Janelia speeds analysis of data sets so large and complex they would take days or weeks to analyze on a single workstation — if a single workstation could do it at all. Misha Ahrens, Shaul Druckmann, Krystyna Keleman, and Minoru Koyama will each lead a small research team working toward learning how the brain’s neural circuits process information and guide behavior.