How do changes in the structure of auditory organs, larynx, and trachea give rise to the diverse vocalizations/hearing produced by animals? I am unraveling this longstanding enigma through large-scale comparative analysis of amniotes (reptiles, birds, mammals) embryonic specimens. My research aims to elucidate the morphological evolutionary processes of organs used for vocalization in vertebrates and the mechanisms generating sound diversity, based on the embryonic development of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems of the oto-rhino-laryngeal organs (primarily the outer-to-inner ear, hyoid bone, larynx, trachea, and bronchi).

My research employs the following approaches: 1) Non-destructive morphological imaging using micro-CT and iodine contrast CT (DiceCT) , 2) Three-dimensional reconstruction of muscle, cartilage, and innervation using serial histological sections and immunohistochemical staining, 3) Gene expression analysis via in situ hybridization, 4) Acoustic simulation using finite element analysis (Dolphinx, FEniCS) in Python, 5) Comparative morphology across extant/extinct organisms, and 5) Single-cell multiomics.