CURRICULUM VITAE
Lauren
Vanessa Riters
Address Department
of Zoology
Birge
Hall, Room 361
430
Lincoln Drive
University
of Wisconsin, Madison
Madison,
WI 53706
Phone: (608) 262-6506, fax: (608) 265-6320
E-mail:
LVRiters@wisc.edu
Ph.D. Experimental Psychology May 1997
Cognitive
and Behavioral Neuroscience Program
Bowling
Green State University
Bowling
Green, OH 43403 USA
Dissertation
advisor: Verner P. Bingman
M.A. Experimental Psychology
August 1993
Cognitive
and Behavioral Neuroscience Program
Bowling
Green State University
Bowling
Green, OH 43403 USA
Thesis
advisor: Verner P. Bingman
B.A.
Psychology
May 1991
Miami
University
Oxford,
Ohio 45056 USA
Assistant
Professor 2003-present
Department
of Zoology
University
of Wisconsin, Madison
Madison,
WI
Visiting
Assistant Professor
2001-2003
Department
of Zoology
University
of Wisconsin, Madison
Madison,
WI
Assistant
Professor January 2000-May 2001
Department
of Psychology
University
of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha,
NE
Postdoctoral
Fellow January 1998-1999
Behavioral
Neuroendocrinology Group
Department
of Psychology
The
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore,
MD
Postdoctoral
advisor: Gregory F. Ball
Postdoctoral
Fellow May 1997-December 1998
Research
Group in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
Laboratory
of Biochemistry
University
of Liège
Liège,
Belgium
Postdoctoral
advisor: Jacques Balthazart
Research
Assistant, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria 1994
Investigated
individual recognition in adult Japanese quail and vasotocin
involvement
in imprinting in quail chicks
Research
Assistant, Bowling Green State University Summer 1993
Investigated
the effects of phase shifting on circadian activity rhythms in mice
Research
Assistant, Bowling Green State University 1991-1996
Investigated
neural mechanisms of spatial cognition in homing pigeons
R01 Grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health: Neuroendocrine Control of Reproductive
Behavior (2001-2003).
Direct Costs: $425,000.00
Wisconsin/Hilldale
Undergraduate/Faculty Research Award: Opioids
and Courtship in Male House Sparrows (2003).
University of
Wisconsin, Research Animals Resource Center matching funds equipment support
(2002).
Wisconsin/Hilldale
Undergraduate/Faculty Research Award:
Dominance and Risky Behavior in House Sparrows (2002).
University
Committee on Research, University of Nebraska at Omaha: Effects of Aromatase on Male Starling
Courtship Behavior (2000-2001).
National
Science Foundation Starter Grant: Neural regulation of song and courtship
behavior in male songbirds (2000).
National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship in Biosciences Related to the Environment: Seasonal changes in testosterone sensitivity of the starling song
system (July 1997-1999).
Young
Scientist Award to attend The Integrative Neurobiology of Affiliation
Conference of the New York Academy of Sciences (1996).
Non-Service
Fellowship Appointment. Bowling Green
State University (1994-1995).
International
Travel Grant from Bowling Green State University in support of research on
imprinting in Japanese quail at the University of Salzburg, Austria (1994).
Charles
E.Shanklin Award for Research Excellence.
The effects of MK- 801 on Navigational Learning in Homing Pigeons
(1993).
Sigma
Xi Graduate Student Research Award. The
NMDA-receptor antagonist MK-801 blocks navigational learning in homing pigeons
(1993).
Frank
M. Chapman Memorial Fund of the American Museum of Natural History in support
of
research
on neural mechanisms of landmark navigational learning in birds (April 1992).
The
NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 impairs navigational learning in homing
pigeons, Masters thesis, Advisor:
Verner P. Bingman
The
role of the caudolateral neostriatum in homing pigeon spatial cognition,
Doctoral dissertation, Advisor: Verner
P. Bingman
Behavioral
neuroendocrinology, neural mechanisms of vocal control, sexual behavior, and
individual recognition
Riters, L. V., Teague, D. P., Schroeder,
M. B., and Cummings, S. E. (in press). Vocal production within different social
contexts relates to neural differences within and outside of the song control
system. Behavioural Brain Research.
Riters, L. V. and Alger, S. J. (2004). Neuroanatomical evidence for indirect connections between the medial preoptic nucleus and the song control system: Possible neural substrates for sexually motivated song. Cell and Tissue Research, 316(1), 35-44.
Riters, L. V.,
Teague, D. P., and Schroeder, M. B. (2004).
Social status
interacts with badge size and neuroendocrine physiology to influence sexual
behavior in male house sparrows (Passer
domesticus). Brain, Behavior and Evolution, 63(3), 141-150.
Riters, L.V. and Teague, D.P. (2003). The volumes of song control nuclei, HVC and
lMAN, relate to differential behavioral responses of female European starlings
to male songs produced within and outside of the breeding season. Brain
Research, 978, 91-98.
Riters, L. V. and Ball, G. F.
(2002). Sex differences in the densities of a2-adrenergic receptors in the song control system, but not
the medial preoptic nucleus in zebra finches. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 23(4), 269-277.
Ball, G. F., Riters, L. V. and Balthazart, J. (2002). Neuroendocrinology of song behavior and avian brain plasticity: Multiple sites of action of sex steroid hormones. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 23, 137-178.
Riters, L. V., Eens, M., Pinxten, R., and Ball, G. F. (2002). Seasonal changes in the densities of a2-noradrenergic receptors are inversely related to changes in testosterone and the volumes of song control nuclei in male European starlings. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 444, 63-74.
Absil, P., Riters, L.V., and Balthazart,
J. (2001). Preoptic aromatase cells
project to the mesencephalic central gray in the male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Hormones
& Behavior, 40, 369-383.
Riters, L. V., Baillien, M., Eens, M.,
Pinxten, R., Foidart, A., Ball, G. F., and Balthazart, J. (2001). Seasonal variation in androgen-metabolizing enzymes within the diencephalon and telencephalon of
the male European starling (Sturnus
vulgaris). Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 13,
985-997.
Riters, L. V., Eens, M., Pinxten, R.,
Duffy, D. L., Balthazart, J., and Ball, G. F (2000). Seasonal changes in courtship song and the medial preoptic area
in male European starlings (Sturnus
vulgaris). Hormones & Behavior, 38, 250-261.
Riters, L.V. and Ball, G.F. (1999). Lesions to the medial preoptic area affect
singing in the male European starling (Sturnus
vulgaris). Hormones & Behavior, 36, 276-286.
Riters, L. V., Erichsen, J. T., Krebs, J.
R., and Bingman, V. P. (1999).
Neurochemical evidence for at least two regional subdivisions within the
homing pigeon (Columba livia)
caudolateral neostriatum. The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 412, 469-487.
Riters, L. V., Absil, P., and Balthazart,
J. (1999). Effects of naloxone on
appetitive and consummatory sexual behavior in male Japanese quail. Physiology
and Behavior, 66, 763-773.
Riters, L. V. and Bingman, V. P.
(1999). The effects of lesions to the
caudolateral neostriatum on sun compass based spatial learning in homing
pigeons. Behavioural Brain Research, 98(1), 1-15.
Riters, L. V., Absil, P. and Balthazart,
J. (1998). Effects of brain
testosterone on appetitive and consummatory components of male sexual behavior
in the Japanese quail. Brain Research Bulletin, 47(1), 69-79.
Riters, L. V. and Balthazart, J.
(1998). Behavioral evidence for
individual recognition in Japanese quail.
Behaviour, 135, 1-28.
Bingman, V. P., Strasser, R., Baker, C.,
and Riters, L. V. (1998).
Paired-associate learning is unaffected by combined hippocampal and
parahippocampal lesions in homing pigeons.
Behavioral Neuroscience, 112(3), 1-8.
Riters, L.V. and Panksepp, J.
(1997). Effects of vasotocin on
aggressive behavior in male Japanese quail. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences,
807, 478-480.
Kohler, E. C., Riters, L. V., Chaves, L.,
and Bingman, V. P. (1996). The
muscarinic acetylcholine antagonist scopolamine impairs short-distance homing
pigeon navigation. Physiology & Behavior, 60, 1057-1061.
Leutgeb, S., Husband, S., Riters, L. V.,
Bingman, V. P., and Shimizu, T. (1996).
Telencephalic
afferents to the caudolateral neostriatum of the pigeon. Brain Research, 730, 173-181.
Riters, L.V. and Bingman, V.P. (1994).
The NMDA-receptor antagonist MK-801 impairs
navigational learning in homing pigeons. Behavioral and Neural
Biology, 62, 50-59.
Under
Review
Riters,
L. V., Schroeder, M. B., Auger, C. J., Eens, M., Pinxten, R., and Ball, G.
F. (under review). Evidence that opioids acting in the medial preoptic nucleus and
ventral tegmental area regulate song production in male European starlings.
Kurt, T. D. and Riters, L. V. (under review). Differences in badge
size of male house sparrows (Passer
domesticus) at food sources of high and low risk.
Ball, G. F., Auger, C., Bernard, D. J.,
Charlier, T., Sartor, J. J., Riters, L. V., and Balthazart, J. (submitted). Seasonal plasticity in the song control system: steroid metabolism, brain sites, and
mechanisms of hormone action.
Balthazart, J. and Riters, L. V. (1999;
English version 2001). Hormones and
Behavior. In Bateson, P. and Alleva, E.
(eds.). The Encyclopedia Italiana: The
Biology of Behaviour, 4, 85-97.
Bingman, V. P., Riters, L. V., Strasser,
R., and Gagliardo, A. (1998).
Neuroethology of Avian Navigation.
In: R. P. Balda, I. M.
Pepperberg, and A. C. Kamil (eds.). Animal Cognition in Nature, Academic
Press, San Diego, CA , pp. 201-226.
Alger, S. J. and Riters, L. V. (2004). Lesions to the medial preoptic nucleus disrupt song during, but not outside of a breeding context in male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Society for Neuroscience Abstracts.
Heimovics, S. A. and Riters, L. V. (2004). Song relates positively to immediate early gene activity within the POM and VTA in spring, but not fall, in male European starlings. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts.
Schroeder, M. B. and Riters, L. V. (2004). Effects of dopamine and opioid pharmacological manipulations on sexually motivated song production in male European starlings. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts.
Sartor, J. J., Riters, L. V., Alger, S. J., and Ball, G. F. (2004). Song suppression via POM lesion decreases the volume of song nucleus HVC in European starlings. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts.
Sartor,
J. J., Balthazart, J., Riters, L. V., and Ball, G. F. (2004). The roles of testosterone and singing in the
regulation of seasonal neuroplasticity in songbirds. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, 8th annual meeting.
Riters,
L. V., Teague, D. P., and Schroeder, M. B. (2003). Sexually
motivated male song expression relates positively to immediate early gene activity in the medial preoptic area. Society
for Neuroscience Abstracts.
Riters, L.V. (2002). Neuroanatomical evidence for indirect
connections between the medial preoptic nucleus and the song control
system: Possible neural substrates for
sexually motivated song. Singing in the Brain, Birdsong Conference,
Hunter College, 2002.
Riters, L.V. (2002). Female European
starlings discriminate between male songs produced within and outside of the
breeding season. Animal Behavior Society 2002.
Riters, L. V. (2000). Neuroendocrine Regulation of Courtship and
Song Expression in European Starlings (Sturnus
vulgaris). AAAS Conference/Southwestern and Rocky Mountain Division. Animal
Behavior Symposium.
Riters, L. V., Eens, M., Pinxten, R.,
Duffy, D., Balthazart, J., and Ball, G. F. (2000). Seasonal variation in singing and the medial preoptic area in
male European starlings. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, Vol.
26.
Ball, G.F. and Riters, L.V. (2000). Seasonal variation in alpha-two adrenergic
receptor densities in the song control system of European starlings. Society
for Neuroscience Abstracts, Vol. 26.
Petersen, B. R., Ball, G. F., and Riters,
L.V. (2000). Met-enkephalin
immunoreactive fiber density within the medial preoptic area is positively
correlated with song expression in the male European starling. Society
for Neuroscience Abstracts, Vol. 26.
Riters, L. V. (1999). Environmental context and lesions to the
medial preoptic area affect singing in the male European starling (Sturnus
vulgaris). Birdsong Workshop,
Rockefeller University.
Riters, L. V. and Ball, G. F.
(1999). Lesions to the medial preoptic
nucleus interfere with singing in the male European starling. Society
for Neuroscience Abstracts, Vol. 25, Part 2, p.1368.
Riters, L. V., Eens, M., Pinxten, R.,
Balthazart, J., and Ball, G. F. (1999).
Seasonal variation in the social context that elicits singing in male
European starlings. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology,
3rd annual meeting.
Ball, G. F., Bentley, G. E., Riters, L.
V., and Bernard, D. J. (1999). Seasonal
changes in brain and behavior in songbirds:
Steroid-dependent and -independent effects. Society for Behavioral
Neuroendocrinology, 3rd annual meeting.
Riters, L. V., Absil, P., Foidart, A.,
and Balthazart, J. (1998). The effects
of naloxone on appetitive and consummatory sexual behavior in male Japanese
quail. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, Vol. 24, Part 2, p. 1439.
Riters, L. V. and Balthazart, J.
(1998). Endocrine and environmental
control of appetitive and consummatory male sexual behavior in the Japanese
quail. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, 2nd annual meeting.
Riters, L. V., Absil, P. and Balthazart,
J. (1997). Differential effects of
testosterone stereotaxic implants on appetitive and consummatory components of
male sexual behavior in Japanese quail.
Belgian Society for Neuroscience
Conference.
Riters, L. V., Aste, N., Panzica, G.C.,
Harada, N., and Balthazart, J. (1997).
Additional markers for the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the quail
preoptic area: Aromatase mRNA as detected
by in situ hybridization and projections to the central gray identified by
retrograde tracing. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, Vol.
23, Part 1, p. 773.
Absil, P., Riters, L. V., Gérard, M.,
Ball, G. F., and Balthazart, J. (1997).
The medial preoptic nucleus and nucleus striae terminalis differentially
regulate appetitive and consummatory aspects of male sexual behavior in
quail. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, Vol. 23, Part 2, p. 1357.
Riters, L. V., Absil, P. and Balthazart,
J. (1997). Effects of testosterone
implanted directly into the POM,
Ac-nST, or BNST on appetitive and consummatory components of male sexual
behavior in the Japanese quail. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology,
1st annual meeting.
Riters, L. V., Erichsen, J. T., Krebs, J.
R., and Bingman, V. P. (1996).
Distribution of neurotransmitters, related enzymes, and neuropeptides
within the pigeon caudolateral neostriatum.
Society for Neuroscience
Abstracts, Vol. 22, Part 1, p.674.
Bingman, V. P., Baker, C., Riters, L. V.,
and Strasser, R. (1996). Homing pigeon
visual relational learning is unaffected by hippocampal lesions. Society
for Neuroscience Abstracts, Vol. 22, Part 2, p.1121.
Nagy, Z. M. and Riters, L. V.
(1996). Effects of phase-shifting
circadian rhythms upon active-avoidance learning and locomotor activity in
mice. Midwestern Psychological Association, 68th Annual Meeting, 28.
Riters, L. V. and Panksepp, J.
(1996). Effects of vasotocin on
aggressive behavior in male Japanese quail. Integrative Neurobiology of Affiliation
Conference of the New York Academy of Sciences.
Leutgeb, S., Husband, S., Riters, L. V.,
Bingman, V. P., and Shimizu, T. (1995).
Afferent connections and cognitive function of the pigeon neostriatum
caudolaterale. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, Vol. 21, Part 1, p.431.
Riters, L. V. and Bingman, V.P.
(1993). The NMDA-Receptor antagonist
MK-801 blocks navigational learning in homing pigeons. Society
for Neuroscience Abstracts, Vol. 19, Part 2, p.1007.
Neuroendocrine
regulation of sexually motivated bird song:
Why does the caged bird sing? Oberlin
College Neuroscience Lecture Series, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio (2002).
Neuroendocrine
regulation of sexually motivated bird song:
Why does the caged bird sing? Biology
Colloquium Series, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater (2002).
Neuroendocrine
regulation of sexually motivated bird song:
Why does the caged bird sing? Zoology
Department Colloquium, University of Wisconsin, Madison (2002).
Neuroendocrine
Control of Song and Courtship in the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris).
Pharmacology Colloquium Series, University of Nebraska Medical School,
2001.
Neuroendocrine
Regulation of Song and Courtship in the Male European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Biology Seminar Program, University of
Nebraska, Omaha, 2000.
Neuroendocrine
Regulation of Male Sexual Behavior in the Japanese Quail and European
Starling. Physiology Seminar,
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 2000.
Neuroendocrine
Regulation of Male Sexual Behavior in the Japanese Quail and European
Starling. Integrative Neuroscience
Group, University of Maryland, 1999.
Behavioral
and Neurochemical Evidence for Regional Subdivisions of the Caudolateral
Neostriatum in the Homing Pigeon.
University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany, 1997.
Introduction
to Animal Biology
University
of Wisconsin
Spring / Fall 2002, Spring 2003
Ethology
University
of Wisconsin
Fall 2001
Behavioral
Neuroscience Graduate Proseminar
University
of Nebraska at Omaha
2001
Methods
of Psychological Inquiry
University
of Nebraska at Omaha
2000-2001
Teaching
Assistant, Bowling Green State University
1995-1996
Laboratory
courses in Biopsychology and the
Neurobiology
of Learning and Memory.
Teaching
Assistant, Bowling Green State University
1992-1994
Discussion
sections for Introductory Psychology.
Graduate
Students Mentored
Sarah
A. Heimovics
Present
Neuroendocrine
regulation of sexual behavior in a songbird system
Sarah
Jane Alger
Present
Mechanisms
regulating mate selection
Molly
B. Schroeder
Dopamine
regulate of male song production
Present
Member,
Animal Behavior Society 2000-present
Member,
J.B. Johnston Club
1998-present
Member,
Society for Neuroscience
1991-present
Member,
Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
1997-present
Belgian
Society for Neuroscience
1997-1998
Sigma
Xi
1994-1996
Northwest
Ohio Society for Neuroscience 1994-1996
Ad
hoc Reviewer - Behavioral Neuroscience, Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of
Sciences, Hormones & Behavior, Journal of Neurobiology, Behavioral Ecology
and Sociobiology, Naturwissenschaften