Brian Entler from the University of Scranton in the United States has been awarded a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship to research the honeybee brain with Associate Professor Andrew Barron in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Brian will examine mechanisms of choice and decision in the honeybee brain to enable the computer modelling of the insect brain.

“Being awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Macquarie is a unique opportunity to establish strong international collaborations while achieving great advances in our understanding of the insect brain,” said Brian.

“Understanding how the brain works, processes thought, and how both thought and decisions emerge from brain circuitry are the last grand challenges of modern neuroscience. Working with Dr Barron, I am examining mechanisms of choice and decision in the honeybee brain to enable computer modelling of insect brain function.”

The Scholarships are awarded by the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, which promotes education and cultural exchange between Australia and the United States in order to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen relations between the two countries.