#23 – Greg Pask: Decoding the chemical language of ants

Greg Pask is an insect neurobiologist at Middlebury College studying how insects use smell to communicate with each other. In particular, his research focuses on using a range of techniques in molecular biology, genetics, electrophysiology and animal behaviour to understand the mechanisms by which ants detect social cues and how this is necessary for maintaining successful ant colonies.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:35) – Superorganisms

(17:25) – Division of labour in ant colonies

(22:14) – How ants communicate

(31:47) – Studying ants in the lab

(50:42) – How much we know about ant neurobiology

(53:26) – Automated recording of ant behaviour

(1:02:51) – Other insects

(1:04:53) – Greg’s scientific journey

(1:10:23) – Favourite part about doing science

(1:15:34) – Beauty of evolution

(1:17:47) Advice for young scientists