“I am interested in how animals use sensory information to perform behaviours ": Dr. Timothy Erickson brings neurobiology research to UNB

(Photo provided by Timothy Erickson)

“The expectation is that by studying the relatively simple larval zebrafish, we will better understand the more complex human animal.” ~Timothy Erickson

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*In the following article, TS refers to The Synapse and TE refers to Timothy Erickson;

TS: Could you briefly introduce yourself and what brought you to UNB?

TE: My name is Timothy Erickson and I have been an Assistant Professor in the UNB Biology department since July 2021. Prior to that, I was an Assistant Professor at East Carolina University (ECU) in North Carolina for four years. A few things prompted my move from ECU to UNB, one of which was returning home to Canada after over a decade in the States. But just as important was the job itself – I was hired as a Chair of Neurobiology to bring neuroscience-related research and teaching expertise to the department. I am really enjoying my position at UNB and look forward to offering more learning options for neurobiology students in the future.

TS: What is your research area or area of expertise?

TE: I am interested in how animals use sensory information to perform behaviours. My animal model of choice is the larval zebrafish, largely because they are great for teaching students! Zebrafish larvae develop quickly, have simple but robust behaviours, and are amenable to molecular genetic techniques that allow students to experimentally examine the connections between genes and behaviour.

TS: How are the methods/ topics of your area related or applicable to psychology/ Neuroscience?

TE: Larval zebrafish have the same sensory systems as humans, plus an extra one that they use to sense water motion. By altering gene function, we can understand how these sensory systems operate at the molecular level. Furthermore, we can combine our genetic studies with environmental manipulations to probe the interactions between genes, environment, and behaviour. The expectation is that by studying the relatively simple larval zebrafish, we will better understand the more complex human animal.

TS: Which courses or research topics in your area would you recommend to psychology/ neuroscience students? Why?

TE: As a practicing molecular neurobiologist, I am more than a little biased, but I recommend that aspiring neuro and psychology students take courses in cell biology, cell signaling, and genetics. Even though these courses may not be directly related to neurobiology, they will provide a foundation for understanding how neurons and brains work. And of course, students should consider my course – Intro to Neurobiology (BIOL 3323) – where we take a deep dive into the molecular mechanisms of neuronal function! But regardless of whether genes or molecules are your thing, neuroscience students should take advantage of any relevant experiential learning experience they can. Contact neuro and psych professors early in your academic career to inquire about summer research positions, independent studies, or Honours projects. For me, the most impactful learning experiences were research-based ones. Ψ

Created for The Synpase by Incé Husain & Jake Taylor.