In this new Episode we dive into the captivating world of neuroethology and bio-inspired innovation. Our guest is Prof. Amir Ayali, a leading researcher at the Faculty of Life Sciences, who served as head of the Zoology Department from 2011 to 2015. His groundbreaking work reveals how the tiny brains of insects, like locusts and cockroaches, produce complex behaviors—from individual movement to swarm dynamics.

Ayali’s research focuses on the neural and biomechanical mechanisms of locomotion, using insects as models to study motor control, decision-making, and group coordination. He explores how neural systems, such as central pattern generators, integrate with sensory feedback to drive behaviors like walking, flying, and digging. His findings on locust swarms uncover how simple visual cu...