Associate Professor of Psychology
Coordinator, Undergraduate Studies in Psychology
Office: 706A Gruening
Phone: 474-6514; Fax: 474-5781
E-mail: ffdkr@uaf.edu

Biographical Sketch

1996: George Mason University; PhD, Developmental Physiological Psychology
1995: George Mason University; MA, Experimental Neuropsychology
1988: Virginia Tech; BS, Psychology

I have been with the psychology department at UAF since Fall 1999 and am currently the Coordinator for Undergraduate Studies in Psychology. I spend most of my time in the classroom teaching Physiological Psychology, Drugs and Drug Dependence, and Introductory Psychology; I also teach other classes such as Sensation and Perception, Psychopharmacology, Senior Seminar, Sports Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and special topics courses in Behavioral Neuroscience. My graduate and postdoctoral training included the use of animal models in behavioral neuroscience, pharmacology and neuroendocrinology. Research interests have included the use of animal models in exploring (1) validation of animal models of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, (2) lasting effects of early exposure to illicit and to psychotropic medications (such as cocaine, alcohol, and antidepressants), (3) mechanisms of estrous cyclicity, and (4) how ovarian hormones (e.g. estrogen) influence the effects of psychotropic drugs. These projects have offered students an interdisciplinary approach to scientific methodology and a unique opportunity to bridge the social and natural sciences. I am currently pursuing interests that include (1) examining bidirectional models of culture and physiology and their impact on behavior, (2) exploring impact of drug exposure during adolescence, and (3) educational models of community-based-learning and community engagement. When I am not teaching or buzzing around my office or lab, I can usually be found playing volleyball, dancing, or cheering on our student athletes.