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Friday Evening Lecture Series
06/27/08 - The Joe L. Martinez, Jr. & James G. Townsel Endowed Lectureship in SPINES
"Evolution of Brain Systems for Vocal Learning"
Erich D. Jarvis, Ph.D., Duke University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Introduction by Joe L. Martinez, Jr.
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Lecture Abstract:
Vocal learning is a critical behavioral substrate for spoken human language. It is a rare trait found in three distantly related groups of birds—songbirds, hummingbirds, and parrots. These avian groups have remarkably similar systems of cerebral vocal nuclei for the control of learned vocalizations that are not found in their more closely related vocal non-learning relatives, and that share some similarities to brain pathways for spoken language in humans. These findings led to the hypothesis that brain pathways for vocal learning in different groups evolved independently from a common ancestor but under pre-existing constraints. We believe we have discovered the constraint, a pre-existing motor pathway. We found that all cerebral vocal learning nuclei in vocal learning birds are adjacent to discrete brain areas active for limb and body movements. These motor areas are connected in a network in parallel with the adjacent vocal learning system, but one that controls limb and body movements. These motor areas are also present in vocal non-learning animals. Based upon our findings, we propose a motor theory for the origin of vocal learning, this being that brain areas specialized for vocal learning in vocal learners evolved as a specialization of a pre-existing motor pathway that controls movement.
Erich D. Jarvis is an associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology at Duke University, where his laboratory studies how the brain generates, perceives, and learns behavior, using vocal communication, particularly in songbirds, as a model. In May 2008 he was named a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator. Since 1999 Dr. Jarvis has organized the Avian Brain Nomenclature Consortium, which has changed the 100-year old, outdated understanding of the avian brain, and thus of vertebrate brain evolution. Dr. Jarvis received a double B.A. in biology and mathematics from Hunter College in 1988 and a Ph.D. in Molecular Neurobiology and Animal Behavior from The Rockefeller University in 1995, where he was a post doc and then adjunct assistant professor from 1998 to 2002. He became an assistant professor at Duke University in 1998. Dr. Jarvis was honored in 2005 with the NIH Director's Pioneer Award, the American Philosophical Society Award, and the Dominion Award presented to African American Leaders; and he received the NSF Alan T. Waterman Award in 2002. In 2006, Discover magazine named Dr. Jarvis' work on avian brain nomenclature one of the top 100 science discoveries of the year, and he was named to Popular Science magazine's "Brilliant 10" list of young scientists and researchers to watch. Dr. Jarvis is on the Advisory Committee to the NIH Director to evaluate and recommend funding mechanisms for transformative research. Among his keynote lectures include the 2005 Society for Neuroethology conference, the 24th International Ornithological Congress Plenary Lecture in 2006, and the NIMH Directors Lecture in 2006. He was a lecturer for the MBL Summer Program in Neuroscience, Ethics, and Survival (SPINES) in 2004.
Joe L. Martinez Jr. will introduce Dr. Jarvis. Dr. Martinez is the Ewing Halsell Distinguished Chair and director of the Cajal Neuroscience Institute at the University of Texas at San Antonio; co-director of the San Antonio Life Sciences Institute; and co-director of the Summer Program in Neuroscience, Ethics, and Survival (SPINES) at the MBL. He served for 13 years as a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is now an emeritus professor. Dr. Martinez is an associate editor of American Psychologist and directs the American Psychological Association's Diversity Program in Neuroscience. His research focuses on how the brain stores information and he has over 185 publications. His popular edited book (with Ray Kesner), Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 2nd ed., was published by Academic Press in 2007. Dr. Martinez earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of San Diego, and an M.S. in Psychology from New Mexico Highlands University. He completed a Ph.D. at the University of Delaware with a specialization in Physiological Psychology. Dr. Martinez has been recognized by several organizations for his outstanding contribution to student development. He received the Raza Recognition Award in 1986, the American Association for the Advancement of Science Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1994, the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse Outstanding Mentorship Award in 2001, and the Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs Education Award in 2003.
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