Randy J. Nelson

Randy J. Nelson, Ph.D.

  • Position:
    Professor

    Psychology

    Neuroscience

    The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)

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  • Degrees:
     
    Ph.D., Endocrinology, University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)
     
    Ph.D., Psychology, University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)
     
    M.A., Psychology, University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)
     
    A.B., Psychology, University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)
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  • Past Advisors:
     
    Irving Zucker (as Graduate Student - Ph.D.)
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  • Research:
    We study the biological mechanisms underlying temporal and stress-coping adaptations, especially in the context of seasonality.

    There are three major projects ongoing in our lab. One research program addresses the hormonal and neural regulation of seasonal changes in behavior and physiology including: (1) the role of photoperiod (day length) and melatonin on seasonal affective and cognitive adjustments, (2) the effects of photoperiod and other environmental factors on seasonal plasticity in brain and behavior, including LTP, and neurogenesis, (3) gene expression alterations in response to seasonal environmental factors, (4) epigenetic effects of photoperiod and other seasonal factors on long-term development, and (5) the effects of light at night on brain, physiology, and behavior. The second project addresses seasonal adjustments in stress and immune function including: (1) photoperiodic modulation of immune function, (2) trade-offs between immune and reproductive function, (3) seasonal modulation of stress responses, and (4) interactions among stress, hormones, brain, and behavior. Finally, a third project involves understanding the behavioral and physiological effects of gene manipulation including: (1) genes involved in aggressive behavior, (2) genes influencing reproductive behaviors, and (3) genes associated with other motivated behaviors such as food intake.

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  • Other Experience:

    1998-1999 Program Director, Neuroendocrinology Program, Integrative Biology and Neuroscience Division, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia.

    1995-1996 Program Director, Physiology and Behavior Program, Integrative Biology and Neuroscience Division, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia

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  • Honors:

    2009-present Ohio State University Academy of Teaching

    2006-present Fellow, Animal Behavior Society

    2006-present Fellow, Association for Psychological Science

    2005-present Fellow, American Psychological Association, Division 6

    2002-present Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science

    2009 Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award, Ohio State University

    2008-2009 Distinguished Lecturer, Ohio State University

    2008-2009 State University Psychology Department Fred Brown Research Award

    2006 Distinguished Scholar Award, Ohio State University

    2002 ALPCO/Buhlmann Distinguished Lectureship, Society for Light Treatment & Biological Rhythms

    2001-2002 State University Psychology Department Fred Brown Research Award

    2000-2009 Distinguished Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences

    1992-1994 NIH, James A. Shannon Award for Innovative Research, National Cancer Institute

    1985 Sigma Xi

    1982-1983 Distinguished Teacher, Committee on Teaching of the Berkeley

    1981-1982 Distinguished Teacher, Committee on Teaching of the Berkeley

    1978 Phi Beta Kappa

Life Sciences
Communities:

Randy Nelson's Genealogy

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Randy Nelson's Publications (232)



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