Dr. Benjamin Arenkiel is a neuroscientist and professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He obtained his PhD in genetics at the University of Utah in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Dr. Mario Capecchi, and he furthered his training in the laboratory of Dr. Lawrence Katz as a Howard Hughes postdoctoral fellow at Duke University. The overarching goal of his research is to investigate how brain circuits are established, maintained and function in the central nervous system, with a particular focus on the olfactory system. To this end, his team undertakes multifaceted experiments that use methods in viral circuit tracing, imaging, electrophysiology, gene sequencing, genetic engineering and optogenetic and genetic manipulation of neural activity in the mouse. In addition to an innovative and successful research program, Dr. Arenkiel is also dedicated to providing a strong training environment to future scientists.