Hong Y. Yan
Associate Professor, Mechanosensory Biology
Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky
Education
- Ph. D., 1986. Department of Zoology,
University of Texas at Austin; Advisor: Dr. Clark Hubbs
- M. S., 1979. Institute of
Oceanography, National Taiwan University; Advisor: Dr. I-Chiu Liao
- B. S., 1974. Department of Zoology,
National Taiwan University; Advisor: Dr. S. C. Shen
Postdoctoral Training
- Department of Zoology, University of
Maryland College Park; Advisor: Dr. Arthur N. Popper
- Department of Biology, University of
Maryland Baltimore County; Advisor: Dr. Thomas
W. Cronin
- Marine Science Institute, University
of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas; Advisor: Dr. Peter Thomas
- Department of Zoology, University of
Texas at Austin; Advisor: Dr. Harold H. Zakon
Research Focus
There are two major mechanosensory
systems used by fish to detect either acoustic and vibrational
signals in the environment in which they live. Inner ears are
used to detect sounds produced either by conspecifics or
heterospecifics or background noise. On the other hand,
vibrational signals in the water or on the surface of water can
be detected by the lateral line system. Therefore, mechanosensory
systems are crucial for the survival of fish in detecting the
presence of both predators and prey. In some sound producing
fish, it is also aiding in the recognition of potential mates or
used in agonistic encounters. My research program focuses on
behavioral, electrophysiological and evolutionary aspects of
acoustical and vibrational communication in fish.
- Auditory sensitivity of fish
- Effects of sound production and perception
on the outcome of agonistic encounter in sonic fish
(NIH-funded project; December 1998-November 2000)
- Lateral line system as a water pollution
detection system
- Role of visual and mechanosensory systems
on mate choice of swordtail fish (in collaboration with
Dr. Craig Sargent and Dr. Victor
Rush)(NIH-funded project; April
1998-March 2000)
- Role of visual and lateral line systems on
prey detection of freshwater butterfly fish (in
collaboration with Dr. William M. Saidel of
Rutgers University)(Center for Ecology, Evolution and
Behavior-funded project, January 1999-December 1999)
- Sound localization of fish (in
collaboration with Dr. Robert Hickling of National Center
for Phsyical Acoustics)
- Characteristics of snapping sounds
produced by snapping shrimp
- Auditory neurophysiology
- Singal transduction and electrophysiology
of weakly electric fish
- Reproductive ecology and endocrinology
- Neuroanatomy and electron microscopy of
visual and auditory sensory systems
- Fish Ecology
Courses offered
- BIO340 Comparative Anatomy
- A&S 500 Sensory Biology and Behavior
- BIO 425 Sensory Biology Undergraduate
Seminar
- BIO 770 Sensory Ecology Graduate Seminar
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (offered at
University of Maryland College Park and University of
Texas at Asutin)
- A&S 500 Fish Biology (to be offered in
Spring 2000)
Honor
- 1997 Faculty Teaching Excellence Award,
School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky
- 1999 Honorable Member, Mortar Board
University Honor Society
Students (Summer 1999)
Graduate student: Amy
R. Scholik
Undergraduate students: Kristy
Farmer, Angela Fu
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Nicola Novarini (June
1999-)
Visiting Scholar
Dr. Tomonari Akamatsu, National
Research Institute for Fisheries Engineering, Japan (August 1999-
July 2000)
To Contact:
E-mail: hyyan00@pop.uky.edu
Hong Y. Yan, Ph. D.
Mechanosensory Biology Laboratory
Thomas Hunt Morgan School of Biological Sciences and Center for
Evolution, Ecology and Behavior
101 Morgan Building
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0225 U.S.A.
(606) 257-7410; fax: (606) 257-1717
Back to Center
for Ecology, Evolution and Behavior or School of Biological
Sciences, University of Kentucky
Last updated: May 20, 1999