Jerad Henson

Graduate Program: Ph.D. Candidate

Research Interest:

Through my MS degree at the University of Memphis with Dr. David Freeman, I have become fascinated by the effects that hormones have not only the on the physiology and behavior of animals, but in how they vary with the ecological conditions experienced and how they aid those animals in dealing with environmental challenges. My MS research focused on the seasonal regulation of the reproductive axis of Siberian Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) and the role the RF-amides, kisspeptin (kiss) and Gonadotropin Inhibitory Hormone (GnIH) play in mediating the release of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH). In my current work with Dr. Stephan Schoech, I will continue to explore the interactions between physiology and environment, specifically in waterfowl, which have been a passion of mine since I was very young. My major research questions involve observing anthropogenic effects on waterfowl stress and how stress load effects habitat preferences.