Our laboratory investigates how inner ear sensory systems work - how the inner ear selects and amplifies external stimuli. Inner ear sensory cells are called mechanoelectric transducers because they are mechanically stimulated by surrounding soft tissues or fluid to generate electric signals. We focus on the mechanical interaction between the inner ear sensory cells and their surrounding structures. Computational and experimental methods are combined for our research. Various engineering/biological principles are incorporated such as structural acoustics, micro-fluidics, microelectromechanical systems, and electrophysiology.\n\n
