Faculty
Meet the Faculty
Mike Baker
Neuroscience Administrative Coordinator
Professor of Psychology
B.A., Coe College
M.S., Ph.D., Iowa State University
Email: mbaker@coe.edu
Research interests:
I am no longer actively involved in research. My research training and interests are in the area of behavioral psychopharmacology including consequences of prenatal and postnatal exposure to drugs of abuse such as cocaine and amphetamine, mechanisms of reward and addiction and sex differences in responses to drugs of abuse.
Classes taught at Coe:
Behavioral Neuroscience, Drugs & Behavior, Statistical Methods & Data Analysis, Biopsychology, Seminar in Psychology (previous topics: Addiction; Autism, Learning & Behavior Therapy), Advanced Experimental Psychology.
Ben Chihak
Assistant Professor of Psychology
B.A., Macalester College
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Email: bchihak@coe.edu
Research interests:
My research has two fundamental goals: The first is to identify what perceptual information is available to guide locomotion in the environment. The second is to determine if and how the brain integrates these potential sources of information to allow individuals to meaningfully control their movement. I have primarily investigated these questions within the context of transportation safety using both naturalistic and virtual environments.
Classes taught at Coe:
Research Methods, Sensation & Perception & Lab, Cognitive Psychology, Biopsychology, Seminar in Psychology, and Advanced Experimental Psychology.
Randy Christensen
Associate Professor of Biology
B.S., Brigham Young University
Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Email: rchriste@coe.edu
Research interests:
Specializes in growth factors involved in limb development, regeneration and wound healing.
Classes taught at Coe:
Developmental Biology, Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Organismal and Ecological Biology
Paul Storer
Associate Professor of Biology
B.S., Allegheny College
M.S., Duquesne University
Ph.D., Loyola University Chicago
Email: pstorer@coe.edu
Research interests:
Research interests include the role of microglia and olfactory ensheathing cells in the communication between the immune system and nervous system in context with neuroinflammation and brain injury. Additionally, the role of the endocrine system (notably estrogens and androgens) on the function of these cells is a continuing interest. My laboratory uses cell culture and molecular biology techniques (including RT-PCR, real time PCR and western blotting) to investigate these topics.
Classes taught at Coe:
Cellular and Molecular Biology, Introductory Biology Laboratory, Organismal and Ecological Laboratory, Techniques in Molecular Biology, Current Topics in Molecular Biology, Cell Physiology (+ Lab), Immunology (spring 2012)