​Circadian regulation of fear

Fear and the physiological and behavioral responses it triggers are essential to avoid threats and increase fitness.  Under natural conditions, fearful stimuli, such as a predator, are likely to present themselves with a 24-h periodicity. I am interested in studying whether cycling fearful stimuli can lead to a shift in the temporal distribution of foraging and feeding activity?. 

Animal sleep

Do all animals sleep?  Why some animal species die when deprived of sleep, while others can survive without any (apparent) 'sleep debt'? What are the mechanistic differences and similarities between forms of inactivity, such as hibernation, torpor, and sleep? 

Affect and circadian disruptions

The SCN master clock is responsible for maintaining phase coherence within a complex network of body oscillators. Affective disorders are typically associated with disruption of this fine-tuned ‘internal synchronization’. I study the relationship between internal misalignment of circadian rhythms and mood disorders.