Assistant Professor of Neuroscience Steven Flavell

Steven Flavell

HHMI Investigator
Associate Professor, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Investigator in The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Contact Info

Office: 46-4243
Phone: 617-715-2605

Administrative Assistant

Katherine Olson
Office: 46-4243A
Phone: 617-452-2662
Email: kjo@mit.edu

Action potentials and synaptic transmission occur over the time scale of milliseconds, yet the brain generates behaviors that can last seconds, minutes, or hours. A major goal of neuroscience is to understand how neural circuits generate coherent behavioral outputs across such a wide range of time scales. Long-lasting behavioral states—including arousal states (sleep, wake) and complex internal states (emotions)—are thought to be controlled by biogenic amine and neuropeptide neuromodulators. However, we still have a poor understanding of the basic neural mechanisms that underlie behavioral state initiation, maintenance and termination. Moreover, it is unclear how external and internal cues, like satiety status, alter the outputs of the neural circuits that control these states. The goal of our laboratory is to understand how neural circuits generate sustained behavioral states, and how physiological and environmental information is integrated into these circuits.

The problem of studying the interactions between neuromodulators, neural circuits, and behavioral states can be simplified in the nematode C. elegans. In addition to classical neurotransmitters, the C. elegans nervous system utilizes neuropeptides as well as biogenic amines like serotonin and dopamine. The nervous system of C. elegans is a simple, well-defined model system: it contains exactly 302 neurons, every neuron can be reproducibly identified in every animal, and a complete connectome has defined all of the synaptic contacts between these neurons. In addition, we can use a variety of precise genetic tools to manipulate each neuron in this nervous system.

By combining quantitative behavioral analyses with genetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and optogenetics, we have mapped out neural circuits that generate behavioral states and characterized the activity of neurons within these circuits during different behavioral states. Our current research aims to expand our knowledge of how neuromodulators like serotonin organize the circuit-wide patterns of neuronal activity that emerge from these circuits as animals switch between behavioral states. We are also investigating how these neuromodulatory circuits integrate environmental and physiological cues that influence behavioral state generation, such as satiety status.

Steve Flavell joined the faculty of MIT and The Picower Instiute for Learning and Memory in 2016. He received his B.A. From Oberlin College and his Ph.D. from Harvard University, where we worked with Dr. Michael Greenberg. Before arriving at MIT, Steve worked as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Cori Bargmann’s lab at Rockefeller University. Research in the Flavell Lab is aimed at deciphering the fundamental neural mechanisms that underlie the generation of long-lasting behavioral states. This work primarily focuses on the neuromodulatory systems that control arousal, motivation, and mood across organisms. Steve’s work has uncovered novel molecular mechanisms that allow signals from the gut to activate neuromodulatory systems, as well as circuit-level mechanisms by which neuromodulator release alters neural circuit dynamics. Steve’s work has been recognized by numerous national awards, including the Weintraub Graduate Student Award, Helen Hay Whitney Fellowship, NARSAD Young Investigator Award, NSF CAREER Award, Sloan Research Fellowship, and McKnight Scholars Award.

  • 2024 - HHMI Investigator
  • 2024 - BCS Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring
  • 2021  - Sloan Research Fellow
  • 2020 - McKnight Scholars Award
  • 2019 - NSF CAREER Award
  • 2019 - BCS Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring
  • 2017  - NARSAD Young Investigator Award
  • 2016 - Newton Brain Science Award
  • 2010 Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • 2008 Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award
  • 2006 Certificate of Distinction in Teaching Award, Harvard University
  • 2005 Albert J. Ryan Fellowship, Harvard University
Featured publications are below. For a full list visit the lab website linked above.

December 20, 2018
Jeffrey L. Rhoades, Jessica C. Nelson, Ijeoma Nwabudike, Stephanie K. Yu, Ian G. McLachlan, Gurrein K. Madan, Eden Abebe, Joshua R. Powers, Daniel A. Colón-Ramos, Steven W. Flavell, Cell, Dec. 20, 2018, Volume 176, ISSUE 1, P85-97.e14,
March 12, 2015
Gordus A, Pokala N, Levy S, Flavell SW, Bargmann CI. Cell. 2015 Apr 9;161(2):215-27.
August 22, 2013
Flavell SW, Pokala N, Macosko EZ, Albrecht DR, Larsch J, Bargmann CI. Cell. 2013 Aug 29;154(5):1023-1035.
December 26, 2008
Flavell SW, Kim TK, Gray JM, Harmin DA, Hemberg M, Hong EJ, Markenscoff-Papadimitriou E, Bear DM, Greenberg ME. Neuron. 2008 Dec 26;60(6):1022-38.
July 11, 2008
Morrow EM, Yoo SY, Flavell SW, Kim TK, Lin Y, Hill RS, Mukaddes NM, Balkhy S, Gascon G, Hashmi A, Al-Saad S, Ware J, Joseph RM, Greenblatt R, Gleason D, Ertelt JA, Apse KA, Bodell A, Partlow JN, Barry B, Yao H, Markianos K, Ferland RJ, Greenberg ME, Walsh CA. Science. 2008 Jul 11;321(5886):218-23.

'What Were you Thinking?'

September 20, 2021
Research Feature
How brain circuits integrate many sources of context to flexibly guide behavior

Summer students thrive in Picower labs

August 11, 2021
Picower People
Undergraduates from colleges across the country gain scientific training, mentorship and experience as participants in the MIT Summer Research Program

Steven Flavell earns Sloan Research Fellowship

February 16, 2021
Picower People
Award supports fundamental research on how the brain generates internal states that guide animal behavior

Dopamine signaling allows neural circuits to generate coordinated behaviors

June 11, 2020
Research Findings
As part of study, team invents new open-source microscopy platform

McKnight Scholars Award supports Flavell lab’s gut-brain connection studies

May 28, 2020
Picower People
Award will help researchers understand how the body’s microbiome influences the brain

With sophisticated tools in a simple model, scientists aim to learn how serotonin modulates behavior

February 20, 2020
New Research
New NIH grant funds study that will span receptors, cells, the whole brain and behavior

Neuroscientists look to the body to better understand the brain

July 1, 2019
News Feature
Studies yield new insights into behavior, development, anesthesia

NSF ‘CAREER’ award helps fund Flavell lab study of behavioral states

February 12, 2019
Picower People
Research will probe how states like sleep emerge and are sustained

Gut-brain connection signals worms to alter behavior while eating

December 20, 2018
Research findings
Study may lead to a better understanding of the digestive tract’s nervous system

Flavell earns School of Science named professorship

July 23, 2018
Tapped as the Lister Brothers Career Development Professor

Please see the Flavell lab people page for an up-to-date listing.