My primary research focus is neuronal and behavioural plasticity. My current work focuses on mechanisms of sensitisation of primary afferent neurons that are tuned to detect noxious stimuli (nociceptors). Changes to excitability of these neurons occur after injury to the nerves themselves, injury to the tissue they innervate and after general and localised inflammation. Nociceptive sensitisation is widespread among diverse taxa, suggesting an important adaptive component. Using molluscs I study the signaling mechanisms that underlie nociceptive sensitisation and the changes to defensive behaviours this produces. Part of my work aims to test the role of sensitisation in ecological contexts by assessing predator/prey interactions between fish and squid, involving prey animals (squid) with and without minor injuries.

In contrast to the important role of sensitization for heightened defensive functions after injury, long-term persistence of hyper-responsiveness after injuries are healed can produce permanent, maladaptive changes to nociceptive signaling pathways, which in mammals may result in chronic pain. Other aspects of my work focus on understanding chronic pain after spinal cord injury in basal and derived vertebrates. I am also interested in the ethics of use of animals in pain research, and the development of ethical guidelines for scientific use of invertebrates.