Prof. Aravinthan D.T. Samuel

Aravi's Curriculum Vitae (PDF Version)

Freely-behaving animals constantly transform sensory inputs into internal representations, memories, and purposeful behavioral outputs. To do this, they use algorithms and circuits. Larger animals use brain circuits . Single-celled organisms use biochemical circuits and signal-transduction pathways.

To make progress, we use accessible biophysical models of organism behavior that can be
studied from sensory input to motor output. We study bacterial chemotaxis using E. coli. We study navigational behaviors including chemotaxis, thermotaxis, and mating behaviors in the nematode C. elegans. We study thermosensory and olfactory behaviors in the Drosophila larva.

In all of our studies, we apply expertise in optics and light microscopy. We build microscopes that allow us to manipulate and monitor the circuits that underlie behavior in freely-moving organisms. We use advanced high-throughput electron microscopy to map entire brain circuits at synaptic resolution.

JOB OPENINGS: If you are an undergraduate, graduate student, or postdoctoral fellow with a background in biophysics, neuroscience, and/or physics who might be interested in joining our team, please contact Aravi Samuel. Harvard is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.