University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus · NeuroscienceKandler Auditory Lab
Karl Kandler · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Karl Kandler's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how specific neural circuits in the inferior colliculus, a critical part of the auditory system, are developed and function. The lab investigates how these circuits affect sound processing and contribute to hearing disorders, such as tinnitus and problems with speech perception, particularly when there are abnormalities in early-life auditory experiences. By exploring the synaptic connections and properties in these circuits, the research aims to provide insights that could lead to better interventions for auditory impairments in children.
auditory processinginferior colliculusneural circuitshearing impairmentsynaptic physiology
Research Aims
3AIM 01Map the intrinsic synaptic circuits in the inferior colliculus using laser techniques.
AIM 02Investigate the physiological properties of synaptic connections within these circuits.
AIM 03Characterize the response properties of neurons in relation to abnormal auditory experiences.
Skills the Lab Values
optogeneticswhole-cell recordingslaser scanning photostimulationcell culturedata analysis
Output against the department
Publications81bottom 23% of dept.513th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.7kbottom 34% of dept.442nd of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.