Canine Brains Project

In this episode of Dog Works Radio, host Robert Forto interviews Sophie Barton, a PhD candidate at Harvard University specializing in dog neuroscience and behavior. Sophie shares her journey from being a dog lover to becoming a researcher in the Hecht Lab, where she studies canine brain anatomy and cognition.

The conversation covers her early experiences with dogs, the Canine Brains Project, and the significance of her research on working dog breeds. Listeners gain insight into the day-to-day operations of the lab, the methodologies used in canine research, and the future directions of the field.

Takeaways

• Sophie Barton is a PhD candidate studying dog neuroscience.
• Her passion for dogs began in childhood with a dog breed book.
• The Canine Brains Project uses neuroimaging to study dog brains.
• Dogs are recruited for studies through volunteer participation.
• Research shows that historical breeding influences dog brain structure.
• Sophie conducts behavioral experiments to assess dog cognition.
• The lab aims to communicate scientific findings to dog owners.
• Sophie’s dog has been integral to her research and study designs.
• Future research will explore genetics in relation to dog behavior.
• Sophie aspires to lead her own research lab focused on dogs.

Titles

• Unleashing the Secrets of Dog Brains
• The Science Behind Canine Cognition
• Exploring the Canine Brains Project

Sound Bites

• “I chose the biggest toy breed there is.”
• “The dog brain is highly asymmetrical.”
• “I want to have a lab like this by myself.”
• “My dog has piloted a lot of our studies.”
• “Visit caninebrains.org to get involved.”
• “This was really fun.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dog Neuroscience

05:14 Sophie Barton’s Journey into Dog Research

10:13 The Canine Brains Project Overview

15:58 A Day in the Life at the Lab

19:13Exploring the Working Dog Breed Study

27:32Future Directions in Canine Research