Halloran Lab
Understanding the Neural Basis of Learning, Memory & Behavior
The Halloran Lab at Colby College investigates how nervous systems develop, adapt, and drive behavior — combining molecular neuroscience, behavioral assays, and undergraduate mentorship in a liberal-arts research setting.
Signatories
Practice Areas
01
Neurodevelopment & Axon Guidance
We study the molecular signaling pathways that guide axon growth and neural circuit formation during embryonic development, with a focus on how errors in guidance contribute to neurological disorders.
02
Behavioral Neuroscience
Using zebrafish and other model organisms, we design behavioral assays to connect genetic and pharmacological manipulations to measurable changes in locomotion, learning, and sensory processing.
03
Fluorescence & Live Imaging
Our lab employs confocal microscopy and in-vivo fluorescent reporters to visualize neural development in real time, tracking individual neurons from specification through synapse formation.
04
Undergraduate Research Mentorship
Every project in the Halloran Lab is powered by Colby undergraduates. Students design experiments, collect and analyze data, and present findings at regional and national conferences.
Method Notes
01
Question & Literature Review
Each project begins with a specific biological question drawn from current literature. Students learn to read primary sources, identify gaps, and formulate testable hypotheses.
02
Experimental Design & Data Collection
We design controlled experiments using zebrafish embryos, molecular tools, and behavioral assays. Undergraduates handle every stage — from injections and imaging to behavioral scoring.
03
Analysis & Dissemination
Data are analyzed with statistical rigor and presented at Colby symposia, the Maine Biological & Medical Sciences Symposium, and national meetings including SfN and AAAS.
Citations
"Working in the Halloran Lab taught me how to think like a scientist. I went from reading textbook diagrams to designing my own imaging experiments and presenting at a national conference — all before senior year."
"The mentorship model here is remarkable. Students aren't washing glassware — they're running projects, troubleshooting protocols, and contributing to manuscripts. That's rare at the undergraduate level."
Fee Schedule
| Line Item | Independent Study | Honors Thesis | Summer Research |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | BI 491 | BI 493–494 | Funded |
| Cadence | / semester | / year | / 10 weeks |
| Scope | Faculty-mentored research project • Weekly lab meetings & journal club • Access to confocal and behavioral rigs | Year-long original research project • Thesis defense before faculty committee • Priority conference travel support | Full-time immersive bench work • Colby or external fellowship stipend • End-of-summer campus symposium presentation |
FAQ
Questions before a higher-trust client reaches out
Keep the tone measured and plain. This should read like a real document, not promo copy.
We primarily use zebrafish (Danio rerio). Their transparent embryos, rapid development, and genetic tractability make them ideal for live imaging of neural development and behavioral analysis.
No. We welcome students from introductory biology onward. Training in microscopy, molecular techniques, and behavioral scoring happens in the lab. Curiosity and consistency matter more than a long CV.
Email Professor Halloran directly with your year, relevant coursework, and a brief statement of why neuroscience research interests you. We typically onboard new students at the start of fall or spring semester, or for the summer research program.
Absolutely. Students regularly present at the Colby Undergraduate Research Symposium, the Maine Biological & Medical Sciences Symposium, and national conferences. Co-authorship on peer-reviewed papers is possible for sustained contributors.
Yes. Alumni of the lab have gone on to PhD programs in neuroscience and biomedical sciences, MD programs, and research positions at institutions including NIH and major research universities.
Contact
Get in Touch with the Lab
Interested in joining the Halloran Lab, collaborating on a project, or learning more about our research? Reach out and we'll respond within a few business days.
- Emailhalloran@colby.edu
- Based InOlin Science Center, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901