Surviving in a complex, ever-changing world requires more than just sensing one’s surroundings. Organisms don’t merely react to their environment; they construct mental maps—flexible internal models shaped by sensory experience, memory and physiological signals—that enable them to interpret their world and anticipate what comes next. Our research seeks to uncover how these models form, adapt and evolve through the intricate interplay of neural circuits and hormonal influences. Our laboratory focuses on temporal trade-offs—the delicate balance between immediate needs and long-term priorities
