EDUCATION
1993 – 1996 California Institute of Technology
Postdoc in Neuroethology
Advisor: Dr. Masakazu Konishi
1986 – 1993 Colorado State University
Ph.D. in Anatomy & Neurobiology
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Kater
1983 – 1986 Swarthmore College
B.A. in Biology
1977 – 1983 College Cardinal Mercier, Belgium
SCIENTIFIC POSITIONS
2018 – Professor of Biology, University of Pennsylvania
2010 – Co-Director, Biological Basic of Behavior Program,
University of Pennsylvania
2006 – 2018 Associate Professor of Biology, University of Pennsylvania
2009 – 2011 Director of Academic Affairs, Neuroscience Graduate Group,
University of Pennsylvania
2006 – 2007 Instructor, Neural Systems & Behavior Course, Woods Hole, MA
1999 – 2006 Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Pennsylvania
1996 – 1999 Research Fellow in Biology, California Institute of Technology
HONORS, AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow, 2001-2003
Basil O’ Connor Starter Scholar Research Award, 2001-2003
National Research Service Award, National Institute of Health, 1993-1996
John H. Venable Research Scholarship, Colorado State University, 1990-1992
Grass Fellowship, Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington 1987
Sigma Xi Honors Society, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA May 1986
Martin Scholarship in Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA 1985-1986
TOURETTE SYNDROME RELATED WORK
Recipient of TAA chapter grant in 2018 to run a workshop using theater improv and mindfulness.
This workshop provided an integrative approach to TS for families with teens (ages 11 – 15)
that included education about the biology of TS, mindfulness techniques, theater improv
exercises and a session on how to advocate for you kid at home and in school. The workshop
included sessions for both parents and kids and was performed in collaboration with the
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
For more information, see https://www.waffles4tourette.com/tourette-workshop/
Founder of WAFFLES 4 TOURETTE.
Started initially with my daughters Emilie and Madeleine (Madeleine is 21 and has TS), we sell
liege sugar waffles at the local coffee shop and Swarthmore Farmer’s Market to spread
awareness about Tourettes. Since we started, we have donated over $11,000 to TAA national,
the Eastern PA chapter of TAA as well as the Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance
(PATSA).
For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/waffles4tourette/