The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $350,000 Project Grant under its Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). The project, titled "CAREER: Deciphering How Neural Circuits Extract and Preprocess Visual Features for Navigation," aims to understand the neural dynamics underlying visual processing and the identification of key visual features that contribute to navigational cues in fruit flies. Utilizing anatomical, physiological, and computational approaches, the research will map the neural pathway from the optic lobe to the compass neurons that encode the fly's sense of direction. This work is expected to deliver computational models that provide a comprehensive understanding of visual processing essential for navigation. In addition to the research, the project includes plans to develop a new computational neuroscience course and provide educational outreach to high school students and undergraduates. The award period runs from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2030.
Generated 3/18/25, 3:31 AM