Lauren Riters
Credentials: Professor
Position title: Animal Behavior, Neuroscience, Physiology
Email: lvriters@wisc.edu
Phone: 608-262-6506
Address:
Birge 428
she/her/hers
- Research Areas
- Animal Behavior, Neuroscience, Physiology
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The focus of research in my lab is on the neural regulation of vocal communication in songbirds. My lab members and I are interested in 1) how the brain ensures that communication takes place within an appropriate context in response to appropriate social stimuli, 2) how the brain regulates motivation or reward associated with communication, and 3) how the brain regulates selective behavioral responses to communication signals. We are particularly interested in how the brain’s natural motivation and reward systems (the same systems implicated in feeding, sexual behavior, and drug abuse in humans) also participate in the production of vocal communication and responses to vocal signals.
My research integrates semi-natural behavioral observations of aviary housed birds with neuroscience laboratory techniques. Scientific methods include quantitative real-time PCR, gene silencing (siRNA), immunocytochemistry, site-directed and systemic pharmacological manipulations, neuroanatomical tract tracing, and hormone assays. Most studies use European starlings but studies from the lab also include zebra finches, black-capped chickadees, house sparrows, and northern loons (in collaboration with Dr. Walter Piper).
OPENINGS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
I welcome highly motivated graduate students with diverse interests ranging from animal behavior to neuroscience.
TEACHING
Endocrinology (Zool 603)
Introductory Biology (Biol/Zool 101)
Seminar in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
Seminar in Behavioral Neuroscience
PUBLICATIONS
- Link to Publications in PubMed
GRADUATE STUDENTS CURRENTLY SUPERVISED
Alyse Maksimoski – Research focus: Neural basis of individual differences in sociality
Brandon Polzin – Research focus: Identifying the role of shared neural mechanisms that underlie both thermoregulation and social behavior
STUDENTS SUPERVISED WHO EARNED GRADUATE DEGREES
Jeremy Spool (Ph.D. 2018) Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Devin Merullo (Ph.D. 2018) Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow University of Texas Southwestern
Melissa Cordes (Ph.D. 2014) Current position: Associate Professor, Bethel University, Minnesota
Cynthia A. Kelm-Nelson (Ph.D. 2012) Current position: Assistant Scientist, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Benjamin A. Pawlisch (Ph.D. 2012) Current position: Assistant Professor, Adrian College, Michigan
Sarah Jane Alger (Ph.D. 2010) Current position: Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stephen R. Bowman (M.S. 2009) Current position: Van Andel Institute, Michigan
Sarah A. Heimovics (Ph.D. 2008) Current position: Associate Professor, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota
Molly B. Schroeder (M.S. 2004)
CURRENT AND FORMER POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS, SCIENTISTS, AND RESEARCHERS
Dr. Changjui Zhao, Associate Scientist (2015-present)
Sharon Stevenson, Research Specialist (2010-present)
Dr. Allison Hahn, Postdoctoral Fellow (2015-2017) Current position: Visiting Assistant Professor, St. Norbert College, Wisconsin
Dr. M. Susan DeVries, Postdoctoral Fellow (2013-2015) Current position: Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
Dr. Jesse M.S. Ellis, Postdoctoral Fellow (2009 – 2012) Current position: Assistant professor, Coe College, Iowa
Dr. Catherine J. Auger, Assistant Scientist (2004 – 2006) Current position: Neurobiology Major Coordinator, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Dr. Chinweike Norman Asogwa, Postdoctoral Fellow (2021 – present)