People

The people behind the science

Norman Lee, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Norman Lee is a neuroethologist and Associate Professor of Biology, as well as Director of the Neuroscience Program at St. Olaf College. He earned his Ph.D. in Cell and Systems Biology from the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral training in auditory neuroethology at the University of Minnesota. At St. Olaf, he teaches biology and neuroscience courses while leading a dynamic undergraduate research lab. His research explores how animals, from insects to frogs, use sound to make decisions in noisy and ever-changing environments. Equally important, he is dedicated to mentoring students from diverse backgrounds and supporting them in discovering their own paths in science.

Lauren Bitner

Postbaccalaureate Research Associate

Lauren graduated from St. Olaf in 2023 with majors in Biology and Psychology and is currently investigating how the reproductive state influences sensory and behavioral processes in Ormia ochracea. Lauren is broadly interested in questions at the intersection of neuroscience and behavior and plans to pursue graduate study in human auditory perception or developmental psychology.