Neuroethology
Lochlan Walsh
In my PhD work, I seek to understand how animals use movement as a way of optimally extracting sensory input from environmental features, such as flower patterns, and use them to guide their behaviours. I use methods from computational ethology to track and quantify the pattern-vision-related behaviours of hummingbird hawkmoths.
My research
Drawing inspiration from an integrative biology approach, I aim to understand how organisms operate on a variety of scales - from the function of individual sensory receptors, to the physical interaction of the body with the environment. To combine these aspects in my PhD, I investigate the visuomotor control underlying flower pattern interactions in the hummingbird hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum). I make use of computer vision tools such as pose estimation (e.g. DeepLabCut) to track and quantify the coordination of body parts with visual input during behaviour. My work uses this unique (and fascinating!) animal model to identify how relatively 'simple' brains can achieve precise visuomotor coordination, relating their control strategies to those seen in higher vertebrates. Additionally, using ecologically-relevant stimuli allow us to infer how such control strategies enable efficient and successful behaviour in the natural world.
Publications:
Walsh, L., Kannegieser, S., & Stöckl, A. (2026) Individualized strategies for visual appendage control in a nectarivorous hawkmoth. In prep.
Walsh, L., Kannegieser, S., & Stöckl, A. (2026) Conservation of a lateralized visuo-motor axis in hawkmoth proboscis probing. Under Review. bioRxiv: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.27.702022v3
Walsh, L., Whitehead, P., & Todd, R. (2023) Participatory Sense-Making in Dance Improvisation. Repertório, 1(38): 106-125. Doi: 10.9771/rr.v1i37.43658
Qualifications:
M.Sc. Animal Behaviour (Biology), University of St Andrews, Scotland. Using deep learning to develop a multi-animal markerless pose estiamtion model for wild African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana). Prof. Graeme Ruxton, Prof. Catherine Hobaiter. Grade: Distinction. (2023)
B.Sc. Cognitive Systems (Cognition and Brain), University of British Columbia, Canada. Participatory sense-making in dance improvisation. Prof. Rebecca Todd. Grade: Distinction. (2022)
Relevant prior experience:
2025: KITP QBio School (Neurophysics of Sensing in Motion) - Sensory taxis and navigation in the tardigrade; Dr. Molly Kirk, Dr. Ana Lyons
2024: CAJAL Quantitative Approaches to Behaviour & Virtual Reality
2023: CAJAL Neurokit: Modern Approaches to Behavioural Analysis
2022: Cornell University (Neurobiology & Behavior) - Application of pose estimation to net-casting spiders in the lab and field; Prof. Ronald Hoy, Prof. Jay Stafstrom
2021: University of British Columbia (Ophthalmology & Neuroscience) - Multisensory integration during visual prediction; Prof. Miriam Spering, Prof. Hiu Mei (Doris) Chow