Dr. Amanda M. Willard

DEGREES EARNED / CERTIFICATIONS / PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

  • Ph.D. Biological Sciences, 2018, Carnegie Mellon University
  • B.S. Biology, 2012, Seton Hill University

PRIMARY COURSES TAUGHT

  • BIOL 224 Human Biology
  • BIOL 261 Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab
  • BIOL 165 Principles of Biology I Lab
  • BIOL 262 Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab
  • BIOL 166 Principles of Biology II Lab
  • INQ 100 Freshman Inquiry Seminar: Why do I forget what I study?

MOST RECENT PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS

  • Willard, A.M., Isett, B.R., Whalen, T.C., Mastro, K.J., Ki, C.S., Mao, X., and A.H. Gittis. (2019). "State transitions in the substantia nigra reticulata predict the onset of motor deficits in models of progressive dopamine depletion in mice." eLife. 8. PMID: 30839276.
  • Mastro, K.J., Zitelli, K.T., Willard, A.M., Leblanc, K.H., Kravitz, A.V., and A.H. Gittis. (2017). "Cell-specific pallidal intervention induces long-lasting motor recovery in dopamine depleted mice." Nature Neuroscience 6: 815-823. PMID: 28481350.
  • Willard, A.M., and A.H. Gittis (2015). "Dopamine system: Mapping neural circuits with CLARITY."eLife 4. PMID: 26452201. Preview.
  • Willard, A. M., Bouchard R. S., and A. H. Gittis (2015). "Differential degradation of motor deficits during gradual dopamine depletion with 6-hydroxydopamine in mice." Neuroscience 301: 254-267. PMID: 26067595.
  • Willard, A. M., and D.J. Brasier. (2014). "Controversies in Neuroscience: A Literature-Based Course for First Year Undergraduates that Improves Scientific Confidence While Teaching Concepts." J Undergrad Neurosci Educ 12(2): A159-166. PMID: 24693264.

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Graduate Student Service Award, 2017, Carnegie Mellon University
  • Predoctoral Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F31), 2016, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  • Graduate Student Teaching Award, 2016, Carnegie Mellon University
  • Richard King Mellon Foundation Presidential Fellowship in the Life Sciences, 2015, Carnegie Mellon University
  • Dolmetsch Carnegie Graduate Fellowship, 2014, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition
  • NIH Predoctoral Training Grant in Basic Neuroscience Fellowship (T32), 2013, Carnegie Mellon University & University of Pittsburgh

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • Society for Neuroscience 
  • National Organization of Gay & Lesbian Scientists & Technical Professionals
Last Updated 5/31/20