After earning his Bachelor's degree in Physics from UC-Berkeley, James Strother studied vertebrate physiology and biomechanics in Dr. Matthew McHenry's research group at UC-Irvine. His research during this period touched on a number of topics, but was principally focused on the sensory physiology of the lateral line system and biomechanics of the respiratory system in fishes. After earning his Ph.D. from UC-Irvine, he joined Dr. Michael Reiser's research group at Janelia Research Campus HHMI, where he studied the neural circuits of the visual system in Drosophila. For his post-doctoral research, he used calcium imaging, optogenetic manipulations, and behavioral assays to understand the architecture and function of these complex circuits. Dr. Strother started his own lab at Oregon State University, and he recently moved to the Whitney Lab as an Assistant Professor of Biology.