Introducing: Reyhaneh Abbasi

Reyhaneh Abbasi

What are you working on? Who do you work with?

I am working on generation of mouse ultrasonic vocalizations. I work with Dr. Vincent Lostanlen from the SIMS team at LS2N and my supervisor Dr. Peter Balazs from Acoustics research institute at the Austrian academy of sciences. 

Why is this topic worth studying? What are the applications?

Mouse ultrasonic vocalizations are important for studying animal behavior because they provide insights into how mice communicate during social interactions, such as mating, aggression, and parental care. Developing methods for generating these vocalizations allows scientists to control and manipulate sound features, enabling precise experiments to examine how different vocalization patterns affect behavior. This approach not only enhances research on mouse communication but also contributes to broader bioacoustic studies, helping to develop tools that can be applied to other species.

How did you get interested in this topic? What were you doing before you joined Audio @ LS2N?

I became interested in this topic through my experience with mouse ultrasonic vocalization analysis. Before joining Audio @ LS2N, I worked on signal processing and classification of these vocalizations. Additionally, the fact that this topic has been rarely studied in the bioacoustic field further motivated me to explore it.

What is something special about you compared to others in the team?

I’m still getting to know everyone in the lab, but I’m particularly interested in using and enhancing signal processing and machine learning methods to study animal communication.

What kind of scientist do you hope to become?

I want to be a scientist who connects technology and biology, focusing on sound and bioacoustics. I’m excited to join others in this field and contribute by improving computational methods to deepen our understanding of sound.