University of Texas at Austin
Assistant Professor
Laura Fonken, PhD
Assistant Professor at University of Texas at Austin
CONTRIBUTIONS
BIO
Dr. Fonken completed her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in Dr. Randy Nelson’s laboratory at The Ohio State University. Laura’s dissertation research focused on the effects of nighttime light exposure on physiology and behavior. Next, Laura completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Dr. Steven Maier’s laboratory in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. In the Maier laboratory, Laura’s research focused on understanding how heightened neuroinflammatory responses contribute to mood disorders and cognitive impairments with aging. Current research in her laboratory focuses on endogenous (e.g. circadian rhythms) and exogenous (e.g. infection and injury) factors that influence neuroimmune function across the lifespan.