People

Barry Trimmer

Neuromechanics and Biomimetic Devices Lab
Tufts University
200 College Ave., Tsungming Tu Complex 230
Medford, MA 02155

Office: 617-627-3924

Faculty Profile Email Dr. Trimmer

Bio
I grew up in Weare, NH and received my BA in Neuroscience from Wheaton College in Norton, MA. I’m interested in neuroethology and interspecies relationships. I started working in the Trimmer Lab right after graduating and hope to pursue a graduate degree.

Research
The Transgenic Manduca project is the main focus of my work in the lab. I have been working with Dr. Trimmer to develop a line of Manduca sexta that are able to express optogenetic actuators. If successful, these animals would become new models for use in optogenetic research, bridging the gap of knowledge between Drosophila and rat studies.

Email

Bio
Flo graduated from Smith College with a double major in biochemistry and psychology. Flo’s honors thesis, completed in Professor Sarah Moore’s lab, characterized the anticancer effects of an engineered fibronectin type III (Fn3) protein targeting the tumor biomarker mesothelin.

When the weather is kind and the experiments cooperate, Flo enjoys hiking and listening to nature’s symphony. Off the trail, Flo is just as captivated by a good musical, from overture to curtain call.

Research
Flo is a PhD candidate in the Trimmer Lab studying how neural circuits transform sensory information into context-dependent behavior, with a current focus on nociception in Manduca sexta. Flo investigates whether differential recruitment of parallel interneuronal pathways explains distinct motor responses to comparable nociceptive input, and how stimulus history and behavioral state modulate peripheral encoding and central integration.

This work combines electrophysiology, machine learning–based analyses, and method development for calcium imaging and virally mediated optogenetic manipulation. Broader interests include the translation of sensorimotor principles into biologically inspired robotic control and circuit degeneracy: how different circuit configurations can produce indistinguishable output patterns.

Bio
Maheen grew up in Queens, New York, and is a master’s student in biology at Tufts University. Maheen earned a BS in biopsychology and biotechnology in 2026. Broad interests include neuropsychology and human pathology, particularly how manipulation of neural systems can alter behavior across organisms. Maheen plans to pursue a PhD after completing the master’s degree. The long-term goal is to work in the biotechnology industry, applying neuroscience-driven research to develop translational tools and technologies that address neurological disease and dysfunction.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Maheen collects electromyographic (EMG) recordings across different substrates to inform a virtual model of the Manduca sexta proleg and investigate morphological computation. Earlier work included serving as a research technician on the transgenic M. sexta project, maintaining transgenic and wild-type colonies to support consistent husbandry and experimental reliability. Maheen subsequently contributed to nociception experiments linking site-specific stimulation with behavioral responses. Research experience also includes developing implantation procedures to facilitate cell extraction and growth, examine immune responses to implanted materials, and characterize cell viability and proliferation.

Bio
Jiyun is a master’s student in biology at Tufts University and holds a degree in chemistry.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Jiyun investigates how allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) affects the central and peripheral nervous systems of Manduca sexta and whether it elicits nocifensive behavior. Broader interests include computational analysis and its interdisciplinary applications.