What is this?

I can't help Elaine run experiments, write grants, or analyze data... but I can make animated digital things. My hope is that this site will help her students visualize how microbes can influence the brain... and maybe even spark a bit of interest in those not yet familiar with the microbiome.



Professor Elaine Hsiao heads the Hsiao Lab in the Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology at UCLA where she teaches the class “Me, Myself, and Microbes”. Her lab researches how microbes affect our brains and behavior. Elaine received her bachelor's in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at UCLA and her PhD in Neurobiology at Caltech. Have suggestions for improvement or corrections? Please email. Or learn more about the lab and research:

Leon is married to Elaine and during business hours he helps make doodles for Google.