Tanya Latty
Papers
1
Total Citations
273
H-Index
1
About
Tanya Latty is a behavioral ecologist renowned for her groundbreaking work on animal cognition and decision-making in organisms without brains. Her research primarily explores how insects, spiders, and slime molds navigate complex environments, make collective choices, and solve problems without centralized neural systems. Latty’s most celebrated contribution is her 2012 study demonstrating that the brainless slime mold *Physarum polycephalum* uses an externalized spatial “memory” to navigate—a finding that has garnered over 270 citations and reshaped understanding of cognition beyond brains. She has also made significant advances in understanding ant foraging behavior, spider web-building strategies, and the impact of pesticides on insect pollinators. With a career spanning over a decade, Latty has published extensively on how simple organisms exhibit sophisticated decision-making, challenging traditional definitions of memory and intelligence. Her work has been featured in major outlets like *Nature* and *The New York Times*, and she is a passionate science communicator, frequently engaging public audiences through talks and media. Latty’s research not only illuminates the hidden complexity of tiny creatures but also inspires new approaches in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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