Monell Chemical Senses Center

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Monell Chemical Senses Center

Monell advances the science of taste & smell to benefit human health & well-being How do we use our chemical senses to communicate? Which genes are responsible?

At Monell, world-class scientists are unlocking some of the most fundamental mysteries of what makes us human. What are the cellular mechanisms of taste and smell that contribute to the difference between lifelong health and chronic disease? How do our chemical senses shape human nutrition? The Center’s integrated research approaches range from basic molecular biology to behavioral neuroscience, from cellular biology to comparative ecology, from analytical chemistry to clinical work with human patients. Monell scientists are at the forefront of discovery, exploring the senses of taste and smell in order to answer pressing questions about health, behavior, and the environment that we could not even foresee a decade ago.

10/27/2025

🚨Last call - Get a front-row seat to the ideas and innovations driving the future of sensory science and meet the people making it happen!

We’re just days away from Monell’s Inaugural Celebration of Science and Scientific Symposium, happening November 12. The event brings Monell’s community of scientists and supporters for a day filled with discovery, curiosity, and a little bit of humor.

👉 Visit monell.org/celebration-of-science today to reserve your seat. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

10/27/2025

Mentorship changes lives, and at Monell, it changes the future of sensory science!

On National Mentoring Day, we are excited to announce that the application for the 2026 Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) is now open. MSAP is a paid, immersive summer experience that provides talented high school and undergraduate students—particularly those from traditionally underrepresented and under-resourced groups in the sciences—the space, resources, and training to conduct an independent research project. The program will run from June 15, 2026 through July 31, 2026.

👉 Ready to spend your summer doing real science? Visit monell.org/science-apprenticeship-applications/ to apply now! The application deadline is on Friday, January 9, 2026.

👉 Curious about the experience of the MSAP cohort from 2025? Read about their workshops, seminars, and research projects in the impact report available on monell.org/science-apprenticeship-highlights/.

MSAP owes its success to the generous philanthropy of our community. Every gift, of any size, fuels another student’s first step toward a life in science. The Monell Center especially recognizes Dr. James Albrecht, long-time friend and advisor, for his leadership and support of the Monell Science Apprenticeship Program in 2025.

10/16/2025

A postdoctoral position is immediately available at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in the laboratory of Dr. Valentina Parma. Join a vibrant team to explore how psychophysical approaches to smell and taste can advance our understanding of various positive health outcomes. Motivated candidates with a passion for sensory science and a drive to make impactful contributions to the field are encouraged to apply.

Visit monell.org/careers to start your application.

10/07/2025

📣 Kicking off the 2025 Monell Insiders Meeting!

It's a busy and exciting week at Monell Chemical Senses Center—in just under an hour, we welcome our industry partners and collaborators to the 2025 Monell Insiders Meeting, an annual gathering filled to the brim with scientific discussions that push chemosensory science forward. This year, the three-day meeting will featuring some of the latest work coming out of Monell research labs, two panel discussions, and an exclusive first look at emerging science and new research directions.

Thank you to all who will be joining us, and if you are not yet a Monell Insider, visit monell.org/monell-insiders/ to partner with us!

10/03/2025

“You start to talk to people from Monell, and the world becomes a much more complicated and interesting place.” -Marc Abrahams, science humorist and founder of the Ig Nobel Prize.

From the smell of stressed out frogs to babies that enjoy garlic-flavored breastmilk, Marc knows that science can surprise you, challenge you, and that sometimes, it can make you laugh then think. He spent decades showing the world that discovery doesn’t just live in labs or lecture halls; it lives in our curiosity, humor, and willingness to see the unexpected.

That’s what Monell's inaugural 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 is all about: bringing together brilliant minds, sparking new ideas, and inviting everyone to experience the joy of smell and taste science.

On November 12, we are thrilled to be joined by Marc as our special guest at the 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. And we can't wait to find out how he blends our science with his humor!

👉 You too can join us to celebrate curiosity in all its forms, with a community that believes science should always be shared, enjoyed, and celebrated. Get your tickets now at monell.org/celebration-of-science.

p.s. Here is the story behind the babies enjoying garlic-flavored breastmilk: monell.org/monell-center-researchers-received-a-2025-ig-nobel-prize-for-their-landmark-flavor-study/

09/19/2025

More from last night - Monell scientists Dr. Julie Mennella and Dr. Gary Beauchamp were awarded the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize in Pediatrics for their pioneering flavor study: Maternal Diet Alters the Sensory Qualities of Human Milk and the Nursling’s Behavior.

Riffing on the august Nobel Prizes, The Ig Nobel Prize is a “tongue-in-cheek” award that celebrates scientific research that amuses at first glance, but provokes deeper reflection, highlighting the unexpected and creative side of science.

The award-winning study found in 1991 that babies nursed longer when a breastfeeding mother included garlic in her diet, defying the widespread belief at the time that a mother's milk should be bland in order for babies not to reject it.

Building on this work, Mennella and Beauchamp went on to discover that eating garlic during pregnancy altered the aroma of amniotic fluid and that a wide variety of flavors transmit into these first foods. What began as an unexpected discovery about garlic laid the scientific groundwork for decades of research uncovering how early-life flavor experiences shape emerging food preferences and influence cultural food practices across generations and around the world.

👉 Read the full story here: monell.org/monell-center-researchers-received-a-2025-ig-nobel-prize-for-their-landmark-flavor-study/

👉 Interested in celebrating smell and taste science with us? Get your tickets now for Monell's inaugural Celebration of Science at monell.org/celebration-of-science.

09/19/2025

At Monell Chemical Senses Center, postdoctoral fellows are central to our culture of innovation, collaboration, outreach and education. It's why we love Postdoctoral Awareness Week!

Here is a snippet of how they are driving forward our understanding of smell, taste, and related senses:

✅ Pioneering new insights into how taste and smell influence nutrition, human health, disease recovery, and quality of life.

✅ Developing experimental methods, refining techniques, and expanding our understanding at the molecular, organismal, and perceptual levels.

✅ Bridging disciplines—biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, environmental science, and food science—to tackle complex sensory questions.

✅ Helping to mentor the next generation of scientists, collaborating across labs, publishing, presenting, and teaching at every public outreach opportunity.

Happy National Postdoctoral Awareness Week to all!

👉 Visit monell.org/training/ to learn more about the training opportunities offered at Monell.

09/18/2025

Big news from Boston! Tonight, Monell scientists Dr. Julie Mennella and Dr. Gary Beauchamp were awarded the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize in Pediatrics, for research that makes you laugh, then think! 🏆

Back in 1991, the two scientists asked this question: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺'𝘴 𝘯𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳?

At the time, it was widely believed that human milk should be bland, and folklore warned mothers to avoid garlic while breastfeeding, for fear that babies would reject their milk. Mennella and Beauchamp's research showed that the mothers' milk did, indeed, take on the the garlic’s aroma, but -surprisingly to many- instead of rejecting it, babies actually nursed longer!

What began as a seemingly simple question helped establish an entirely new way of thinking about how early-life experiences with flavor shape our relationship with food and became the basis for decades of research into food preferences across cultures and generations.

👉 Read the full story here: monell.org/monell-center-researchers-received-a-2025-ig-nobel-prize-for-their-landmark-flavor-study

👉 Interested in celebrating smell and taste science with us? Get your tickets now for Monell's inaugural Celebration of Science at monell.org/celebration-of-science.

09/04/2025

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐅. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐞, 𝐌𝐃, 𝐏𝐡𝐃!

For more than four decades, Robert F. Margolskee, MD, PhD, has been a driving force in sensory science. His discovery of gustducin, a key signaling protein in taste cells, sparked a revolution in our understanding of how we perceive sweet, bitter, and savory flavors. Bob's work revealed that taste receptors aren't limited to the tongue, but play vital roles in digestion, immunity, and even oral health.

As Monell’s Director from 2014 to 2022, Bob led with vision and resilience:

✅ Recruited world-class faculty members
✅ Forged strategic global partnerships across academia and industry
✅ Expanded Monell’s clinical focus
✅ Helped the Center commemorate its milestone 50th anniversary
✅ Guided our community through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

His leadership and scientific contributions have left a lasting legacy, both at Monell and across the global scientific community.

To celebrate Bob’s extraordinary contributions, we invite you to join us for Monell’s inaugural 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 on November 12, 2025. The day-long celebration features two unmissable events, honoring Bob’s career while looking forward to the next era of discovery in sensory science.

Get your tickets or become a sponsor now at monell.org/celebration-of-science/

08/28/2025

🚨 Registration is Now Open 🚨

Join us for a scientific symposium on November 12 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM), part of our inaugural 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆. An extraordinary lineup of speakers will come together in Philadelphia to explore the world of tuft cells in health and disease.

Found in the linings of the gut, lungs, and other organs, tuft cells are equipped with specialized taste receptors, allowing them to detect subtle chemical changes in their surroundings. These chemosensory cells don’t just “taste” in the traditional sense; they help orchestrate immune responses, protect against infections, and maintain tissue health.

The symposium is organized in honor of Director Emeritus Robert Margolskee, whose pioneering work revealed the critical role of taste receptors beyond the tongue.

Space is limited. Register now at monell.org/celebration-of-science.

08/25/2025

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤!

Ever sniffed something weird and thought, “is this bad for me?” Or wondered whether you have the “cilantro gene”? Ever daydreamed that your perfume could spark romance, or pleaded with your child to eat their vegetables?

Join us in Philadelphia on November 12 for Monell’s first-ever Celebration of Science, where science and humor share the spotlight.

🧠 Start your day with mind-opening talks: a free scientific symposium honoring Director Emeritus Dr. Robert Margolskee.

😂 Stick around for an evening of wit and wisdom with science humorist Marc Abrahams, the mastermind behind the Ig Nobel Prizes.

The unmissable evening will celebrate Monell’s groundbreaking research, showcase our community of curious minds, and remind us all that science has room for wonder, wit, and the occasional strange smell.

Reserve your spot or become a sponsor today: monell.org/celebration-of-science/

Don’t just satisfy your curiosity—celebrate it!

06/24/2025

⏰ 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 12, 2025—𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

The day begins with a free, all-day scientific symposium, “Discover the Unsung Sentinels of the Body: Honoring Director Emeritus Dr. Robert Margolskee,” presenting groundbreaking research on Tuft Cells in Health and Disease.

That evening, the celebration continues with a special reception and dinner at the Academy of Natural Sciences: An Evening of Wit and Wisdom, featuring acclaimed science humorist Marc Abrahams, founder of the Ig Nobel Prizes.

𝑱𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒖𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒖𝒎, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓, 𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉—we hope you’ll be part of this memorable day. We’ll learn and laugh, as we celebrate and support the Monell Chemical Senses Center.

✉️ For more information about attending, supporting, or sponsoring the Celebration, visit monell.org/celebration-of-science or contact Raechel Hammer, Senior Director of Philanthropy and Government Relations at rhammer@monell.org.

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