Dave Tolmach is a fifth-year undergraduate studying Developmental Cell Biology and Human Development and Family Sciences, with a minor in Physiology and Neurobiology. His research interests center around neuroscience, developmental cellular biology, and gene regulation, particularly working to understand neuronal physiology and role in disease.

Dave has nearly four years of university-level research experience across two laboratories at UConn. He began in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), where he spent a year studying avian malaria in Kenyan birds. For the past three years, he has conducted neuroscience research in the Menuz Lab in the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB), working with Drosophila melanogaster, the mighty fruit fly, as a model organism.

In the Menuz Lab, Dave has investigated the effects of tauopathy on olfactory receptor neurons using techniques including immunohistochemistry, genotyping, and confocal microscopy. More recently, he has been conducting an independent project investigating the persistence of RNA interference (RNAi) in Drosophila, examining whether gene knockdown persists after the system responsible for inducing RNAi has been turned off. Through his research, he has gained experience in experimental design, fly genetics, molecular techniques, microscopy, and data analysis.

Beyond the lab, Dave is passionate about making STEM and research more accessible. He has worked with more than 80 high schools throughout the Northeastern United States, mentoring students interested in STEM and research and helping them explore pathways into science.

After completing his undergraduate education, Dave plans to pursue graduate training in neuroscience and ultimately a career in biomedical research. As a Peer Research Ambassador, he hopes to help students find research opportunities, reach out to faculty, and become more confident entering research environments. Outside of the lab, Dave enjoys reading, learning Italian, birdwatching, and spending time with his reptiles.