Monell Chemical Senses Center

02/13/2026

For more than 50 years, Gary Beauchamp has helped shape the science of smell and taste at Monell, from discovering that cats can’t taste sweetness to showing that flavor learning begins before birth.

In this Meet Monell interview, he reflects on the power of collaboration, the joy of training the next generation of scientists, and why even the smallest questions about smell and taste can have profound implications for human health.

👉 Hear more from Gary on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=o9KJRWNMqrI

👉 Or continue the story on our blog: monell.org/meet-monell-gary-beauchamp-on-the-power-of-collaboration-in-smell-and-taste-science/

02/11/2026

- We're so excited to be joined by Dr. Bradley J Goldstein on Tuesday, March 3, for our third hybrid seminar of 2026!

Dr. Goldstein is a professor of head and neck surgery & communication sciences at Duke University. His talk, titled "An Update on Damage and Repair in the Peripheral Olfactory System," can be joined either virtually or in-person at the Monell Library.

👉 Register now on monell.org/events.

02/10/2026

"As a postdoc, Monell's training program is very strong. That's a large part of why I came here," Ian Chapman, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow at Monell. "There's a lot of basic questions left [unanswered], and it helps quite a bit to be around people who have similar but different views and perspectives on the field."

Curious about postdoctoral training at Monell? Today is the day to learn more!

At the Philadelphia Postdoc Preview, you’ll get an inside look at Philadelphia’s diverse postdoctoral training opportunities. Whether you are interested in studying basic, translational, or clinical research, Philadelphia’s growing life sciences sector has much to offer for those interested in expanding their research expertise, developing professional skills needed in today’s job market, and growing a network of engaged and successful colleagues.

👉 Visit www.philadelphiapostdoc.com for more information.

02/06/2026

𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 that your favorite foods can suddenly smell… awful?

For people with parosmia, familiar smells like coffee, chocolate, or onions can become distorted—sometimes taking on smoky, rotten, or chemical odors.

The foods aren’t burned or spoiled, but the wrong signals are reaching the brain.

Parosmia often appears after viral infections or other disruptions to the sense of smell. Instead of losing smell entirely, the olfactory system sends scrambled information, turning once-loved foods into sensory villains.

Every day, sensory scientists are working to understand why distortions like parosmia happen, and what it takes for the sense of smell to find its way back.

👉 Learn more about parosmia in this mini-documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjfR44szh4o

👉 To keep up with the latest research at Monell, sign up for our mailing list on: monell.org/get-updates/

01/30/2026

As a postdoctoral fellow in Guillaume de Lartigue’s lab, Rebeca Méndez-Hernández studies how the brain listens to the body, detangling the sensory signals that shape hunger, metabolism, and behavior.

In this interview, she shares what drew her from circadian rhythms to sensory science, why basic research is essential for tackling complex metabolic diseases, and how Monell’s collaborative, interdisciplinary environment helps push the boundaries of what we know.

👉 Hear more from Rebeca on YouTube: https://ow.ly/Iikk50Y6vWy

👉 Or continue the story on our blog: https://ow.ly/sujs50Y6vWw

01/28/2026

Considering a postdoc in Philadelphia? Here’s why Monell should be on your shortlist:

As an independent research institute embedded in Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem, the Monell Center offers postdoctoral scholars a training experience that extends well beyond the bench. Our researchers don’t just advance foundational science in taste, smell, and sensory biology—they engage with partners across academia, government, and industry to translate discovery into real-world impact.

Monell provides a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment designed to support both innovative research and professional growth. “Our commitment to excellence is reflected in a strong mentorship model, grant writing support groups, seminars, journal clubs, and connections with the local Philadelphia community,” says Valentina Parma, Director of Academic Affairs at Monell, and organizer at the Philadelphia Postdoc Preview.

👉 Learn more about postdoctoral research opportunities at Monell and throughout Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Postdoc Preview, www.philadelphiapostdoc.com.

01/26/2026

Just over a week until our second seminar of 2026!

👉 To join us, virtually or in-person, visit monell.org/events.

- We're so excited to be joined by Dr. Ann-Marie Torregrossa on Tuesday, February 3, for our second hybrid seminar of 2026!

Dr. Torregrossa is an associate professor and behavioral neuroscience area head at the University at Buffalo. Her talk, titled "Saliva and Taste: Mapping a Two-Lane Road," is supported by the Martin Meyerson Endowment Fund.

👉 To join us, virtually or in-person at the Monell Library, visit monell.org/events.

01/23/2026

𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 that scientists can use the sense of smell to stop a disease outbreak before it even starts?

Here is how: Infections can change an animal’s internal chemistry, leading to subtle shifts in the odors its body emits. When odor signals associated with illness are released into the environment, researchers can use smell to distinguish healthy animals from those that may be infected.

For years, sensory scientists have been helping to develop tools that detect these distinct odor signals in real-time, supporting disease surveillance efforts in settings like poultry farms where the early detection of bird flu is essential to protecting public health and economies worldwide.

👉 Read more about the role of smell in disease detection on: monell.org/how-a-trained-dogs-sense-of-smell-can-prevent-a-pandemic/

👉 To keep up with the latest research at Monell, sign up for our mailing list on: monell.org/get-updates/

01/21/2026

📰 Monell science in the news

“Every animal needs to eat, so we get hunger drives to help with our survival,” said Monell's Guillaume de Lartigue, who spoke to National Geographic last year about the science of hunger, memories, and junk food.

Traditionally, scientists have distinguished between metabolic hunger—the body’s need for energy—and hedonic hunger, which arises when food looks or smells tempting. But recent research adds a third layer: a memory-driven hunger, shaped by past experiences with highly rewarding foods.

In today’s world, calorie-dense foods rich in fats and sugars are everywhere and easily accessible. Their powerful sensory cues can overwhelm our brain’s natural decision-making systems, making it harder to choose healthier options.

👉 Read more on: www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/junk-food-cravings-brain-memory/

👉 To keep up with the latest research at Monell, sign up for our mailing list on: monell.org/get-updates/

01/20/2026

The Monell Chemical Senses Center welcomes Phuong Le, PhD, as Assistant Member and its newest faculty member. Trained as a biomedical systems engineer, she joins Monell from the University of California, San Diego.

Le’s expertise lies in developing quantitative, single-molecule imaging techniques and nanotechnology probes called quantum dots to observe and quantify the characteristics of individual molecules and their role in the decision-making process of cells. Using this technique, Le is undertaking pioneering studies to determine the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and other disorders to help find solutions to prevent them.

“To be able to see cells of interest at the resolution of a single molecule is a critical next step, especially in such leading-edge sensory fields as metabolic health, nutrition, and food choice,” said Le. “We need to get the micro view of the health consequences of obesity and diabetes as well as the macro view.”

👉 Read more about Dr. Le’s appointment on https://ow.ly/CfUg50Y0ken.

01/16/2026

As Chief Science Officer, Danielle Reed works across disciplines to help scientists pursue bold questions about sensory science, while keeping sight of why this research matters beyond the lab.

In this interview, she shares what continues to excite her about science, how Monell’s collaborative environment makes discovery possible, and why the future of sensory research feels full of opportunity—even in challenging times.

👉 Hear more from Dani on YouTube: https://ow.ly/4u8R50XY5tP

👉 Or continue the story on our blog: https://ow.ly/gRks50XY5tN

01/15/2026

- We're so excited to be joined by Dr. Ann-Marie Torregrossa on Tuesday, February 3, for our second hybrid seminar of 2026!

Dr. Torregrossa is an associate professor and behavioral neuroscience area head at the University at Buffalo. Her talk, titled "Saliva and Taste: Mapping a Two-Lane Road," is supported by the Martin Meyerson Endowment Fund.

👉 To join us, virtually or in-person at the Monell Library, visit monell.org/events.