University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · PhysiologyLaboratory of Social Aging Research
Scott Pletcher · Ann Arbor, Michigan
Research Focus
Scott Pletcher's lab at the University of Michigan focuses on understanding how social interactions and environmental factors influence the aging process. Using fruit flies as a model organism, the lab develops advanced technologies to monitor behavior and analyze molecular changes over time. Their research aims to uncover the biological mechanisms behind social behaviors and their impact on aging, creating a foundation for future studies in other species, including humans.
agingsocial interactionsenvironmental effectsDrosophilamolecular mechanismsbehavioral monitoringlongitudinal studiesneurosciencegenetic manipulation
Research Aims
5AIM 01Develop technologies to monitor social interactions in Drosophila.
AIM 02Characterize the impact of socio-environmental interactions on aging.
AIM 03Identify molecular mechanisms linking social behavior and aging.
AIM 04Assess the role of neuronal stimulation in behavioral influences on lifespan.
AIM 05Evaluate interventions that mitigate negative effects of adverse social conditions.
Skills the Lab Values
behavioral analysisDrosophila geneticsvideo trackingdata analysisenvironmental control systemsgene expression manipulationfeeding behavior assessmentresilience profilingmolecular profiling
Output against the department
Publications133bottom 43% of dept.162nd of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations12ktop 26% of dept.75th of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.