Kent K. Fitzgerald, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Biological Sciences
Director, Neuroscience Program
Assistant Professor, Deptartment of Biological Sciences
Health Professions Advisor

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neural Science

Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Neural Science
Laboratory of Dr. Dan H. Sanes
Examined neurophysiology and neuromodulation of the superior olivary complex, a brainstem region involved in sound localization, using both in vitro brain slice techniques and in vivo recording of auditory properties.

Graduate Student, Department of Psychology
Laboratory of Dr. Thomas J. Carew
Used a combined behavioral and neurophysiological approach to explore novel forms of learning and related neural plasticity in the marine mollusc Aplysia californica.

Student in Neural Systems and Behavior course
Learned and applied a range of neurophysiological and anatomical techniques using invertebrate and amphibian model systems.

Undergraduate Research Fellow
Laboratory of Dr. Bruce McEwen
Studied regulation of brain glucocorticoid receptors in response to hormonal and behavioral factors using biochemical techniques.

Neuroscience Courses
Introduction to Neuroscience
Sensation and Perception Lab
Neuropharmacology
Neuroscience Methods

Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Lab
Neural Science 1 Lab

Cellular Basis of Behavior (Teaching Assistant)
Research Methods in Psychobiology (Teaching Assistant)

Fitzgerald, K. K. and Sanes, D. H. (1999) Serotonergic modulation of synapses in the developing gerbil lateral superior olive. Journal of Neurophysiology 81: 2743-2752.

Fitzgerald, K. K., Takacs, C. A. and Carew, T. J. (1997) Nonassociative and associative modification of head-waving produced by aversive tentacular stimuli in Aplysia. Learning & Memory 3: 366-375.

Fitzgerald, K. K. and Carew, T. J. (1997) Multiple forms of facilitation produced by aversive tentacular stimuli in cerebral ganglion sensory neurons of Aplysia. Learning & Memory 3: 376-388.

Fitzgerald, K. and Carew, T. J. (1991) Serotonin mimics tail shock in producing transient inhibition in the siphon withdrawal reflex of Aplysia. Journal of Neuroscience 11: 2510-2518.

Fitzgerald, K., Wright, W. G., Marcus, E. A. and Carew, T. J. (1990) Multiple forms of non-associative plasticity in Aplysia: a behavioural, cellular and pharmacological analysis. In: J. R. Krebs and G. Horn (eds.), Behavioural and Neural Aspects of Learning and Memory. New York: Oxford University Press.

Schull, J., Walker, J., Fitzgerald, K., Hiilivirta, L., Ruckdeschel, J., Schumacher, D., Stanger, D. and McEachron, D. L. (1989) Effects of sex, thyro-parathyroidectomy, and light regime on levels and circadian rhythms of wheel-running in rats. Physiology and Behavior 46 :341-346.

Brind, J. L., Kuo, S., Chervinsky, K., Fitzgerald, K. and Orentreich, N. (1985) A new partition thin-layer chromatographic method for steroid separations. Steroids 45: 565 571.

Lopez, C. and Fitzgerald, K. K. (2006) The effects of St. John's wort and caffeine on calcium in leech neurons. NorthEast Undergraduate Research Organization for Neuroscience 10th Annual Meeting.

Fitzgerald, K. K. and Ettinger, A. J. (2005) Laboratory experiences in an undergraduate neuroscience program at a women's liberal arts college. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts.

Ettinger, A. J. and Fitzgerald, K. K. (2005) Using diseases to teach neuroscience at a women's liberal arts college. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts.

Gablik, J. E., Schofield, E. A., and Fitzgerald, K. K. (2003) Determination of the effects of Piper methysticum, a botanical anticonvulsant, on calcium levels in Retzius neurons of Hirudo medicinalis. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (Abstracts) 76.

Griest, R. L., Hutchinson, D. K., and Fitzgerald, K. K. (2003) Anticonvulsant properties of Piper methysticum applied to Hirudo medicinalis Retzius neurons. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (Abstracts) 76.

Burnett, L. A., Zimmerman, M. A., and Fitzgerald, K. K. (2002) Actions of kava (Piper methysticum) on Retzius neurons in Hirudo medicinalis. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (Abstracts) 75.

Chamberland, J. R., Peters, K. D., and Fitzgerald, K. K. (2002) Operant learning in the leech, Hirudo medicinalis. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (Abstracts) 75.

Fasolka, S. M., Francis, L. B., Peters, K. D., Ritz, J. B., and Fitzgerald, K. K. (2001) The medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, as a model system for investigating actions of anti-seizure medications. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (Abstracts) 74.

Fitzgerald, K. K. and Sanes, D. H. (1997) Serotonergic modulation in gerbil lateral superior olive: effects of 5-HT agonists. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 23: 1550.

Fitzgerald, K. K. and Sanes, D. H. (1996) Serotonergic modulation of inhibitory and excitatory synapses in gerbil lateral superior olive. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 22: 649.

Fitzgerald, K. and Carew, T. J. (1994) Activity dependent synaptic facilitation in Aplysia cerebral sensory neurons: possible mechanism for coding of aversive stimuli. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 20: 814.

Fitzgerald, K., Takacs, C. A. and Carew, T. J. (1992) Learned modification of head waving behavior in Aplysia with aversive reinforcement. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 18: 531.

Fitzgerald, K. and Carew, T. J. (1989) Serotonin differentially modulates monosynaptic and complex EPSPs in siphon motor neurons in Aplysia. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 15: 1265.

Schull, J., Cooper, J., Hiilivirta, L., Fitzgerald, K., McEachron, D., Ruckdeschel, J., Schumacher, D., Stanger, D. and Walker, J. (1987) The effects of thyroparathyroidectomy (TPX) and Calcium diets (Ca) on activity levels and rhythms in male and female rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 13: 606.