Research Interests

The response to a stimulus or a context varies between individuals and across time and depends on internal state, prior experience and expectations. How are expectations formed, communicated and interpreted in the brain to modulate emotional and motivated behavior? How do expectations change with learning? To answer these question, my lab studies long-range neural networks between the cerebellum, the "prediction machine" of the brain, and emotional and reward centers. Our toolbox includes transgenic mice, ex vivo and in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, advanced imaging, single cell RNA sequencing and animal behavior assays. With these tools at hand, we aim to bridge the knowledge gap between synaptic, cellular and circuit levels of analysis. Our lab is located at the Center for Neuroscience at Research Park, and we are always looking for motivated, enthusiastic undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to join our group. To apply, please contact Dr. Fioravante directly. 

Grad Group Affiliations

• Neuroscience

Specialties / Focus

• Neurobiology

Honors and Awards (selected)

• UC Davis Academic Senate New Research Initiative Award
• NARSAD Young Investigator Award
• Hellman Fellows Award
• Society for Neuroscience Next Generation Award
• UCDMC Interdepartmental Research Seed Grant Award
• Brain Research Foundation Fay/Frank Seed Grant Award
• Outstanding Graduate Mentor in Neuroscience Award
• Center for Neuroscience Faculty Service Award
• Whitehall Foundation Research Grant Award
• UC Davis Faculty Development Award

Teaching

NPB 012 Human Brain and Disease; NSC 221 Cellular Neuroscience; NSC 298 Group Study Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Journal Club (Fall Q)