Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) awarded Princeton University $132,813 on April 21, 2026, under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders program (CFDA 93.853) to support research characterizing multimodal processing in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). The project, scheduled for completion by February 29, 2028, will employ whole-brain functional imaging in behaving animals, connectome-constrained computational models, and advanced neuroscience techniques to understand how the brain integrates audio and visual signals during courtship behavior. The research will identify circuit mechanisms underlying multimodal integration and uncover general principles of multimodal processing applicable to complex brains, with findings potentially advancing understanding of sensory processing disorders including autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

This Project Grant supports the principal investigator's transition to an independent research career while advancing fundamental neuroscience knowledge through integration of modern experimental approaches including whole-brain functional imaging, connectomics analysis, behavioral quantification, genetic manipulations, and computational modeling. The research will be conducted at Princeton University's Office of Research and Project Administration in Princeton, New Jersey.