Mehmet Keles
Understanding how the brain links internal states — like sleepiness or alertness — to behavior is a central question in neuroscience. While scientists have long known that small movements, or microbehaviors, can reflect changes in an animal’s internal state, these subtle actions are hard to measure with existing tools. To address this, I developed FlyVISTA in Dr. Mark Wu’s lab — a machine-learning system that captures fine-scale behavior in freely moving fruit flies using high-resolution video and deep learning to track 35 body parts.
Using this platform, I discovered a previously unknown behavior called the haltere switch, a small movement that only occurs during deep sleep in flies. This suggests that, like mammals, flies also have different stages of sleep — one of which might be comparable to REM sleep. By revealing these detailed behavioral signatures of sleep and linking them to physiology (such as muscle atonia), FlyVISTA enables rigorous, quantitative analysis of behavior at a scale not previously possible. This discovery illustrates that fruit flies can serve as a powerful model to study the fine structure of sleep, helping to uncover its biological functions in a genetically tractable system.
Questions & Answers
Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?
I chose Johns Hopkins because of its strong interdisciplinary environment and emphasis on translational research. Being surrounded by experts across neuroscience, engineering and medicine enabled me to refine our experimental and analytical approach in ways that directly enhanced the
broader impact of our work. The culture at Hopkins encourages connecting fundamental discoveries to real-world applications, which was essential for shaping a project that not only advanced our understanding of sleep, but did so in a way that could resonate across multiple fields.
What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?
Receiving this award is deeply meaningful to me both personally and professionally. It recognizes the long-term commitment and interdisciplinary effort that went into a project we developed over several years — bringing it from concept to publication. Being recognized for this work affirms the value of that process and motivates me as I pursue future research. Professionally, it highlights my ability to identify and tackle impactful scientific questions, which will strengthen my future applications.
It is a special honor to receive the McGehee Harvey Research Award, named after a visionary who championed research within clinical medicine. Dr. Harvey’s legacy — expanding scientific inquiry in fields like biomedical engineering and medical genetics — resonates with my own goal of bridging basic science and translational impact.
What contributed to your project’s success?
This project succeeded thanks to a combination of interdisciplinary skills, long-term mentorship, and the collaborative environment at Hopkins. My background in both neuroscience and computational methods helped me design a system capable of capturing complex behaviors at high resolution. I also benefited greatly from mentors who supported long-term, high-
risk projects and encouraged me to follow ideas that required sustained development. Being in an environment that valued both innovation and rigor was key to bringing this project to completion.
What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?
I think Young Investigators’ Day is a fantastic way to recognize and celebrate the innovative research being led by trainees at Hopkins. It highlights the essential role that students and fellows play in driving scientific discovery, and it provides a rare opportunity to honor their contributions in a formal, visible way — something that’s often lacking at the national level.
What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?
One of my most memorable experiences at Johns Hopkins was finally getting an experiment to work after weeks of troubleshooting and iteration. The
moment I saw it succeed — and immediately shared the news with my adviser
— was incredibly rewarding. It captured the mix of persistence, relief and shared excitement that defines the best parts of doing science.
What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?
Over the next year, I plan to apply for faculty positions as I take the next step toward establishing an independent research program.
Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?
What makes me unique is my fearlessness when it comes to learning new methods and my constant drive to improve. I love building things — whether it’s a custom imaging system in the lab or a home improvement project on the weekend. As a recent homeowner, I’ve really enjoyed diving into DIY tasks like plumbing and electrical work. That hands-on curiosity fuels both my science and my hobbies.