Roy Harpaz
Roy Harpaz
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Post-doctoral fellow, Group of Prof. Florian Engert
Department of molecular and cellular biology
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
My research lies at the intersection of ethology and neuroscience, focusing on collective behavior and the role of social information in shaping dynamic, complex individual behaviors. I primarily use zebrafish as a model organism, as these vertebrates exhibit a rich repertoire of behaviors, ranging from instantaneous movement decisions within a shoal to sophisticated foraging strategies and learning processes. The advanced genetic tools and imaging techniques available for zebrafish provide unparalleled opportunities to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning these complex behavioral algorithms.
I firmly believe that a deep understanding of natural behavior is essential for accurately studying the neural mechanisms that drive these behaviors. By integrating behavioral observations, mathematical modeling and neurobiological insights, my work aims to uncover the intricacies of the social brain.
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Natural collective behavior of larvae
Individual larva interacting with virtual agents
2-photon calcium imaging in a socially interacting larval zebrafish