Sonoda, Takuma
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor of Biology, Biology
Education
- BS, Neuroscience, UCLA
- PhD, Neuroscience, Northwestern University
- Postdoc, Harvard Medical School
Contact Information
Email: rxe3sd@virginia.edu
Website: https://www.sonodalab.com/
Research Disciplines
Neuroscience, Physiology, Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, Retinal Neuroscience
Research Interests
Sensory processing and plasticity
Research Description
Our brains are constantly flooded with sensory information, yet they are able to transform these signals into a seamless experience of the external world without leaving us feeling overwhelmed. This process is something we often take for granted, but disruptions in sensory processing are a common feature of many neurological disorders, often manifesting as heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Our work combines in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology, optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulation, two-photon imaging, mouse genetics, and behavioral approaches to identify the circuit mechanisms underlying sensory processing and plasticity. Broadly, we hope to understand how neural circuits maintain the capacity for adaptation while preserving stable representations of the sensory environment.