How do our brains connect us to others, or help us survive danger?

Every day, our brains weigh the people around us and the threats in our environment, and they learn from both. When these systems break down, the result can be isolation, persistent fear, and anxiety. This is a hallmark of many neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including autism, Down syndrome, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia.

In our lab, we are mapping the precise neural circuits that link social experience, threat, and adaptation. By understanding how healthy brains balance social connections or responses to danger, and what goes wrong in disease, we aim to open the door to new and more targeted treatments.

Join us in uncovering how the brain protects and connects us.

PhD Position FALL 2026: The Molas lab will be recruiting a PhD student this Fall 2026 through the Behavioral Neuroscience Program at CU Boulder.  Interested candidates please contact [email protected] with your CV and letter of motivation. Candidates with Computational Skills are highly encouraged to apply.