Jonathan Benichov investigates how the brain processes social sounds and regulates interactive vocal behavior. His research seeks to identify central mechanisms that enable acoustic communication, by examining neural circuit activity and social vocalizations in songbirds.

More information about Jonathan Benichov

Research in the Benichov Lab focuses on the neural mechanisms that enable socially coordinated vocal communication. Using songbirds as a model system, the lab studies how different areas in the brain work together to generate context-appropriate vocal responses. For example, vocal turn-taking during social exchanges -like conversations - requires the combination of rapid sensory processing and flexible motor control. The lab aims to uncover the circuit-level basis of this behavior by recording the activity of diverse populations of neurons and analyzing the flow of information across forebrain regions involved in auditory perception and vocal-motor control.

Current projects explore how vocal coordination develops with experience, how it is shaped by sex-specific brain organization, and how it varies across species with different vocal abilities. In addition to experimental work, the lab develops computational models to link neural dynamics with behavior. This research not only sheds light on the evolution of vocal communication systems (e.g. human speech) but also provides insights into general principles of sensorimotor integration in the vertebrate brain.

Grants and awards

• German Research Foundation (DFG) Research Grant (Principal Investigator, 2021 – 2024)
• Konishi Neuroethology Research Award (International Society for Neuroethology, 2018)
• The City University of New York Science Scholarship, (2010 – 2015)

Key publications

1. Norton*, Benichov*, et al. (2022). A feedforward inhibitory premotor circuit for auditory-vocal interactions in zebra finches. PNAS, 119(23). *Equal contributions. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2118448119 
2. Benichov & Vallentin (2020). Inhibition within a premotor circuit controls the timing of vocal turn-taking in zebra finches. Nature Communications, 11, 221. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-13938-0
3. Benichov et al. (2016). The forebrain song system mediates predictive call timing in female and male zebra finches. Current Biology, 26(3), 309–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2015.12.037

Brief biography

Positions

2025 – Present: Assistant Professor in Avian Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, The Netherlands

2025 – Present: Guest Researcher, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Germany

2021 – 2024: Scientist, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Germany

2016 – 2021: Postdoctoral Researcher, P.I.: Daniela Vallentin, Ph.D.

2019 – 2021: Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Germany

2016 – 2019: Institute of Behavioral Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany

2010 – 2016: Graduate Researcher and Lecturer, P.I.: Ofer Tchernichovski, D.V.M., Ph.D.

2012 – 2016: Department of Psychology, Hunter College, USA

2010 – 2012: Biology Department, The City College of New York, USA

2007 – 2010: Research Specialist/Lab Manager, P.I.: Arthur Wingfield, D.Phil., Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, USA

Education

2015: Ph.D. in Biology: Neuroscience, Advisor: Ofer Tchernichovski, D.V.M., Ph.D., The City University of New York, USA

2007: B.S. in Cognitive Science, Advisor: Michael T. Turvey, Ph.D., University of Connecticut, USA

Publications