top of page

ABOUT ME

I'm a biologist with interests in various aspects of physiology and behavior, especially how these are affected by, and respond to, environmental cues. To achieve this requires a variety of approaches extending from the whole animal to individual cells and molecules. The mechanisms that underlie the seasonal, and therefore reversible, physiology has always fascinated me because it could provide important clues to help humans.

Pipetting Samples
Screen Shot 2020-01-06 at 10.17.17 AM.pn

EDUCATION

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Hibernation Physiology

We're interested in everything that makes this incredible physiological transition in bears possible and how it can be applied to humans.

1978 - 1982

Franklin Pierce University

B.A. in Biology (cum laude)

Obesity and Diabetes

Bears exhibit many of the characteristics of humans with obesity and diabetes, yet bears don't develop disease. We are interested in understanding the molecular/genetic mechanisms responsible for this resilience.

Metabolic Regulation

Conserving energy during hibernation is key to survival. Bears regulate their metabolism in extraordinary ways. We'd like to know how as this has application to cancer and potentially space travel.

1985 - 1987

University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign

M.S. in Pharmacology/Toxicology (Veterinary Sciences)

1993 - 1999

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

Post-doctoral

1987 - 1993

University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign

Ph.D. in Physiology (Veterinary Sciences)

Circadian Rhythms

24 hour rhythms are a common aspect of physiology. Maintaining rhythms is thought to be a key feature of homeostasis and energy balance. How this is achieved and under what extreme environmental conditions these rhythms are maintained is a key question.

Collaborators

Dr. Charles Robbins, Professor, School of the Environment

Washington State University

Dr. Joanna Kelley, Assoc. Professor, Biology, University of California Santa Cruz

Dr. Karyn Rode

US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

USGS

Dr. Matthew Gillum, Assoc. Professor, 

Novo Nordisk Foundation for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen

Gillum Lab website

bottom of page