Wachowiak’s research focuses on sensory encoding and brain processing of olfactory information. Researchers in Wachoviak’s lab use optical imaging to visualize neural activity in real time in the intact brain. A goal of this work is to understand how active behaviors such as sniffing and touching shape sensory processing in the brain. Potential commercial applications of his work include the development of “artificial nose” sensors to detect explosives, drugs or other substances.