Associate Professor

The University of Tokyo

Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST)

Building 3-s, #454, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan

Apr 2020-present, Associate Professor, University of Tokyo, RCAST

Sep 2019-Mar 2020, Research Associate Professor, University of Tokyo, RCAST

Jan 2016 – Aug 2019, Project Lecturer, University of Tokyo, RCAST

Feb 2015 – Dec 2015, Research Scientist, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus

Jan 2013 – Jan 2015, Postdoctoral Associate, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus

Apr 2009 – Dec 2012, Project Research Associate, University of Tokyo, RCAST

Mar 2009,    Ph.D. in Natural Science, University of Tsukuba

Research

Animal behavior can be deconstructed into a combination of low-level behavioral modules. The various behavioral repertoires observed in insects are composed of a common set of ancient modules (Dickinson, 2014, Annu Rev Entomol 59:51). So far, we have identified the following behavioral modules for insect flight: takeoff, landing, speed control, and turning maneuver. The lateral accessory lobe (LAL), premotor circuit in the insect brain may serve a pivotal role in higher-level control by arranging these behavioral modules. The LAL has been identified as the circuit module for zigzag locomotion in the silkmoth “mating dance.” We test the hypothesis that the zigzag module is part of an ancient toolkit utilized widely in insects such as spatial navigation or information transfer.