Rebecca M. Calisi
National Science Foundation Post-doctoral Researcher

Lab of Professor John C. Wingfield

Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior

rmcalisi (at) ucdavis (dot) edu

www.RebeccaCalisi.org

Mailing Address

NPB, 294 Briggs Hall
1 Shields Avenue

University of California, Davis

Davis, CA 95616

Degrees:

2010 Doctor of Philosophy in Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley

2006 Master of Science in Biology, University of Texas, Arlington 

2001 Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Studio Art, Boston College

Research Interests:
Vertebrate Behavioral and Reproductive Neuroendocrinology

How does the brain control behavior? My research seeks to understand how hormones in the brain and circulating in the body mediate reproductive and sexual behaviors in vertebrates. By using an integrative, whole-animal approach, I examine neural and molecular factors in conjunction with natural behaviors. Previously, I studied how reproductive hormones in female Mexican boulder spiny lizards were associated with changes in their bright sexual coloration. More recently, I have been studying how hormones in the songbird brain play a role in reproductive and parental behaviors. In addition, I have been examining how hormones can affect neural processing at different times of the avian breeding cycle in collaboration with Prof. Timothy Gentner (UC San Diego). I hope to continue exploring both proximate and ultimate questions concerning the endocrine mediation of reproductive behaviors.

Awards:
Dorothy Skinner Outstanding Young Investigator Award, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (2011).

Warder Clyde Allee Award, Best Student Presentation, Society for Animal Behavior (2010).

National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (2010-2013).

University of California’s President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship finalist (2010).

National Science Foundation Travel Award to Speak at the International Ornithology Conference, Brazil (2010).

National Research Council Ford Dissertation Fellowship (2009-2010).

University of California Dissertation-Year Supplemental Award (2009-2010).

University of California Dissertation-Year Fellowship (2009-2010). –declined.

Best Student Paper and Presentation, Division of Neurobiology, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (2010).

National Science Foundation Travel Award to speak at the Society for Animal Behavior, Brazil (2009).

Mentor Research Award, University of California, Berkeley (2008).

Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award, University of California, Berkeley (2008).

Ford Pre-doctoral Fellowship Honorable Mention (2008).

Best Poster, Division of Neurobiology, Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology (2008).

Research Grant, Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology (2008).

Berkeley Edge Summer Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley (2006).

Chancellor’s Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley (2006-2008).

Doctoral Fellowship, Arizona State University (2006-2007). –declined.

Phi Sigma Research Grant, University of Texas, Arlington (2006).

Student Associate Member, Society of Sigma Xi (2005).

Howard McCarley Research Award, Southwestern Association of Naturalists (2005).

Research Grant, Texas Academy of Science (2005).

Phi Sigma Research Grant, University of Texas, Arlington (2004).

Research Grant, East Texas Herpetological Society (2004).

Professional Societies:
American Ornithologist's Union 
Animal Behavior Society 
Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology 
Society for Comparative and Integrative Biology 

Society for Neuroscience

Publications: Last updated 6/21/2011

Calisi, R.M., Díaz-Muñoz, S.L., Wingfield, J.C., Bentley, G.E. 2011. Social and breeding status are associated with recently discovered GnIH. Genes, Brain and Behavior. doi:10.1111/j.1601-183X.2011.00693

McGuire, N.L., Calisi, R.M. and G.E. Bentley. 2010. Seasonality: Hormones and behavior. IN: Breed, M.D. and Moore, J. (eds.) Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior. Oxford Academic Press. 3:108-118.

Calisi, R.M. 2010. Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone: New insights into the neuroendocrinology of stress and social conditions. Doctoral Dissertation, University of California, Berkeley, UMI Dissertation Publishing, UMI 3413543.

Calisi, R.M. and G.E. Bentley. 2009. Lab and field experiments: Are they the same animal? Hormones and Behavior, 56:1-10. **FEATURED ON FACULTY OF 1000; PICKED AS TOP 25 HOTTEST ARTICLES, NEUROSCIENCE, HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR**

Bentley, G.E., Ubuka, T., McGuire, N.L., Calisi, R.M., Perfito, N., Kriegsfeld, L.J., Wingfield, J.C. and Tsutsui, K. 2009. GnIH: A Multifunctional Neuropeptide. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 21:276-281.

Calisi, R.M., J. H. Malone, D.K. Hews. 2008. Female secondary coloration in the Mexican boulder spiny lizard (Sceloporus pyrocephalus) is associated with nematode load. Journal of Zoology. 276:358-367. **PICKED EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER’S CHOICE FEATURE**

Calisi, R.M., Rizzo, N.O., Bentley, G.E. 2008. Seasonal differences in hypothalamic EGR-1 and GnIH expression following capture-handling stress in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). General and Comparative Endocrinology. 157:283-287.

Ubuka,T., McGuire, N.L., Calisi, R.M., Perfito, N. and Bentley, G.E. 2008. The control of reproductive physiology and behavior by gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone. Integrative and Comparative Biology. 1-10.

Calisi, R.M. and D.K. Hews. 2007. Steroid correlates of multiple color traits in the spiny lizard, Sceloporus pyrocephalus. Journal of Comparative Physiology 177:641-654.

Calisi, R.M. 2006. Proximate and ultimate mechanisms associated with female secondary coloration in the Mexican boulder spiny lizard, Sceloporus pyrocephalus. Master’s Thesis, University of Texas, Arlingtion, University of Texas Publishing Press, 4396 2.

Calisi, R.M. 2005. Variation in Bidder's organ volume is attributable to reproductive status in Bufo woodhousii. Journal of Herpetology 39(4): 656-659.

Calisi, R.M. 2004. Geographic distribution. Hyla squirrela. Herpetological Review 35:282.