When we experience fear or anxiety, our bodies often respond before we fully understand why. How sensations from within the body contribute to these emotional states, however, remains a mystery.
Dr. Kara Marshall, an investigator at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI), is investigating this mystery by studying how the body and brain communicate. This work has earned Dr. Marshall the 2026 McKnight Scholar Award, which recognizes early-career neuroscientists conducting innovative research that advances understanding of the brain.
The award will support Dr. Marshall’s research through the Marshall Lab, part of our Duncan NRI, as she investigates how the nervous system detects and interprets body signals, including those related to heart rate, blood pressure and breathing, and how those signals influence fear and anxiety.
Unlike many studies that focus directly on the brain, her research examines how information from the body contributes to emotional states, offering new insight into the connection between the body and brain.
Dr. Marshall’s work represents the innovative neuroscience taking place across our Duncan NRI, where our investigators are advancing discoveries that deepen our understanding of the nervous system and advance the field of neuroscience. Click here to learn more about Dr. Marshall’s award-winning research.