University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · NeuroscienceVocal Learning and Neurobiology Lab
Todd F Roberts · Dallas, Texas
Research Focus
Dr. Todd F. Roberts' lab focuses on understanding how the brain maintains and updates learned vocal behaviors, particularly in songbirds like zebra finches. The research investigates the role of brain circuits and dopamine in learning and maintaining vocalizations and explores the genetic factors underlying vocal imitation. Ultimately, this work could shed light on the neural mechanisms involved in speech and communication in humans and other animals.
vocal learningdopaminegenetic basissongbirdsneurobiologybehavioral neurosciencesocial communicationoptogenetics
Research Aims
4AIM 01Investigate the role of dopamine in maintaining learned vocalizations in adult zebra finches.
AIM 02Examine the cellular mechanisms behind the decrystallization of song in songbirds.
AIM 03Identify the genetic basis of vocal imitation through mutagenesis screens in zebra finches.
AIM 04Develop transgenic models to test the function of genes implicated in vocal learning.
Skills the Lab Values
optogeneticsfunctional imaginggene targetingtransgenic model generationbehavioral assaysRNA sequencingneuroanatomy techniquesdata analysis in neurobiologyanimal training and handling
Output against the department
Publications83bottom 24% of dept.506th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.2kbottom 14% of dept.578th of 671
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.