Carlay LaTour Teed

A Bit About Me

How is color information transform as it travels from our eye to the brain? How do we know what colors an animal can see? How does an organism's evolutionary history shape what its modern eyes are able to do? These research questions have been some of the main drivers of my questioning since I first learned about the fundamentals of retinal physiology. 

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My work investigates the retinal neural code that contributes to our experience of color, using mathematical models to predict color discrimination abilities across species. My background is uniquely situated in the intersection between neurobiology and ecology. With expertise in retinal physiology and a deep appreciation for the implications of color vision on animal behavior and evolution, I strive to decenter the human perspective and appreciate the novel solutions employed by nature.

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At the core of my research philosophy is the belief that models should generate questions and guide well-designed experiments to find answers. I am driven not just by the pursuit of knowledge, but by the potential for that knowledge to address real-world challenges. For instance, enhancing our understanding of avian color vision can inform policies around visual deterrents, reducing the costly collisions between birds and human infrastructure.

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As an educator, I am passionate about fostering wonder in undergraduates and in the general public. I believe that the topic of animal color vision is an accessible field of research which everyone can connect to on some level. This makes my work a great starting point to introduce undergraduate researchers to biological topics and quantitative methods through the approachable lens of modeling. My commitment to inclusive teaching practices ensures all students feel welcomed and empowered in the classroom and in lab space.

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I have been recognized for my contributions to graduate and undergraduate education, receiving the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Honor Roll award from the department of Biological Sciences and the Outstanding Graduate Research Mentor Award from the John Martinson Honor's College. Additionally, I have collaborated on initiatives to integrate intercultural learning into biology curricula and investigate the land history of university facilities.