To gain an overview of the neural basis of the skin senses, from the tactile receptors to their projections in brain. To recognize a recently discovered tactile system with pathways and a cortical projection separate from the classic somatosensory system. To appreciate the sense of touch in the context of NIDCAP practices.
Dr. Jeffrey Alberts is a professor in the department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. Dr. Alberts was a member of the NFI Board of Directors, and is currently active on the NIDCAP and Science subcommittee, as well as the Associate Editor for Science for the NFI’s official publication, The Developmental Observer. He is also a NIDCAP Professional. Dr. Albert’s research program is dedicated to describing and elucidating functional and mechanistic aspects of the development of species-typical behavior in rodents. Currently, he is studying sensory and motor capabilities in fetal rats as a means of understanding adaptation to prenatal life as well as anticipation of the postnatal environment. Dr. Alberts is analyzing the ultrasonic vocalizations of infant rodents, not just as a form of acoustic communication with the parent, but also as an aspect of early thermal and oxygen homeostasis. Both of these lines of research reflect the combined behavioral and physiological approach often used in his laboratory. Studies of weaning in rodents are another part of the program, for the transition from suckling to independent feeding is a universal developmental process in mammalian ontogenesis. Because parents are a part of a mammal’s typical environment, Dr. Albert’s lab also is devoted to novel analyses of parental behavior, including biparental care, and parent-offspring interactions.
