Welcome to the latest episode of Research Renaissance, presented by the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust. I’m your host, Deborah Westphal, and today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Douglas Storace, a neuroscientist and assistant professor at Florida State University. Dr. Storace is also a 2022 Toffler Scholar. Our discussion will delve into his research on the olfactory bulb, a crucial brain region responsible for processing smells, and its broader implications for understanding brain function and our bodies.

Episode Highlights

• Dr. Storace's Journey to Neuroscience: Discover how a course on Sensation and Perception, combined with an interest in computers and music, led Dr. Storace to pursue a career in neuroscience.
• Understanding the Olfactory Bulb: Learn about the olfactory bulb's role as the brain's initial point of contact for sensory information from the nose and how it interacts with other brain regions.
• The Hypothalamus Connection: Dr. Storace shares fascinating insights into how the hypothalamus, a brain area involved in key behavioral functions, influences the olfactory bulb.
• Neuropeptides and Brain Function: Explore the role of the neuropeptide orexin in regulating sleep, feeding, and other behaviors, and its connection to the olfactory bulb.
• Current Lab Projects: An overview of Dr. Storace’s lab projects, including research on sensory information processing, perceptual stability, and a unique study involving blind cavefish to understand sensory adaptation.
• Technological Advances in Neuroscience: Discover the cutting-edge imaging techniques and fluorescent proteins that enable scientists to study the brain in unprecedented detail.
• Future Directions: Dr. Storace shares his hopes for future breakthroughs in neuroscience, particularly in understanding brain function and developing targeted treatments for neurological disorders.

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Research Renaissance. For more information and to stay updated on our latest episodes, subscribe to the podcast and visit our website at tofflertrust.org. Feel free to contact us with your thoughts, suggestions, or to learn more about the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust. 

Until we meet again, onward and upward!

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.