Sarah Sniffen, a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the University of Florida’s Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program (Neuroscience concentration), is deeply invested in unraveling how our brains assign emotional meaning to odors—a line of research with powerful implications for mental health.
Before joining UF, Sniffen completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at Florida State University, where she also minored in biology, chemistry, and earned a certificate in statistical programming. It was there, during an introductory Brain and Behavior course with Dr. Alan Spector, that her interest in neuroscience took root. “I was fascinated by how the brain constantly processes internal states to shape behavior, often without our conscious awareness,” she recalls. That curiosity led her to Dr. Lisa Eckel’s neuroendocrinology lab, where she studied cannabinoid effects on ingestive behavior and hypothalamic activity. “That hands-on experience solidified my desire to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience.”
Now, as a member of Dr. Dan Wesson’s lab and a trainee of the Florida Chemical Senses Institute, Sniffen is exploring the neurobiological mechanisms behind why we love or hate certain smells. “Your sense of smell is widely considered your most emotional sense,” she explains. “And yet, we still don’t understand the neural circuitry that allows odors to become emotionally charged.”
Her research focuses on the basolateral amygdala—an area of the brain central to emotional processing—and its role in assigning emotional valence to odors. She’s particularly interested in how dopamine signaling shapes this process across learning. “I hope this work provides insight into how altered sensory-emotional processing might contribute to neuropsychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD.”
Sniffen’s commitment to translational and emotionally relevant neuroscience made the Wesson Lab an ideal fit. “From the beginning, I sought a lab that balanced rigorous science with strong mentorship. The Wesson Lab delivered that and more.” She credits Dr. Wesson as a pivotal force in her development, describing him as “an incredible mentor who offers thoughtful guidance while encouraging independent problem-solving.”
Through the FCSI and the NIH T32 training grant, Sniffen has received extensive training in advanced neuroscience techniques including viral tracing, opto- and chemogenetics, behavioral assays, and two-photon calcium imaging. She’s also grown as a science communicator, presenting at conferences such as AChemS and preparing her first-author manuscript—recently published in Molecular Psychiatry.
Sniffen emphasizes the collaborative strength of the FCSI community. “The Institute has been instrumental in my development as a scientist. The journal clubs, coursework, and professional development workshops have given me both structure and inspiration.” She also credits her undergraduate and master’s mentors, Dr. Lisa Eckel and Dr. Adetola Louis-Jacques, for shaping her research trajectory.
Looking ahead, Sniffen plans to pursue a postdoctoral position and eventually lead her own research group at an R1 institution. “I hope to build a lab focused on chemosensory-driven emotional learning and to mentor students at every stage—from undergrads to postdocs,” she says.
Her advice to aspiring scientists? “Stay curious, stay humble, and surround yourself with people who push you to grow. Don’t be afraid to ask the basic questions—that’s where the real learning begins.”
Sniffen is proud to be part of a university and research environment that supports her goals. “The FCSI has played a central role in my scientific journey,” she says. “It’s not just a place to do research—it’s a training ground for the next generation of chemosensory neuroscientists. I’m excited to be a part of that legacy.”
Interested in learning more?
Check out the full news story from UF Health here: Study: What makes a smell “bad”?
For a deeper dive, read the original research article in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-025-03075-0