EDUCATION
Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, Ph.D. Biology, (2002-2007)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, MS Biology, Wisconsin, (1999-2002)
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, B.S. and B.A. Biology, (1994-1998)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Stonehill College, Stonehill College, Associate Professor, Easton, MA, (8/2019-present)
Stonehill College, Assistant Professor, Easton, MA, (8/2014-8/2019)
Stonehill College, Visiting Assistant Professor, Easton, MA, (8/2013-5/2014)
Courses: Neuroscience (upper-level (Capstone) lecture and lab for Biology and Neuroscience Majors), Endocrinology (mid-level lecture and lab for Biology Majors), Neuroscience learning community course; Biology lab (introductory lab for Biology Majors)
Responsibilities: Neuroscience and Endocrinology students learn from biomedical and comparative studies. Students also learn from problem-based learning activities. Community-based learning is incorporated into the Neuroscience learning community course. In lab, they study anatomy and perform physiology experiments.
Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Providence, RI, (10/2009-8/2013)
Research: Neuronal mechanisms regulating obesity, Laboratory: Dr. Eduardo Nillni
Biomedical research in the Department of Medicine/Division of Endocrinology: I published 6 research articles, presented research at 4 National conferences, and received 3 grants and awards.
Advising: I supervised and mentored undergraduate (9 total), medical school (2), and graduate (1) students.
Protocols: I wrote all lab protocols to strictly adhere to federal regulations.
Saylor Foundation, Salor.org, (9/2010-4/2010)
Responsibilities: I reviewed and edited all aspects of online courses in Biology
Courses: Neurobiology, Cell biology, Human physiology, Zoology, and Evolutionary biology
Tufts University, Instructor, Medford, MA, (9/2009-12/2009)
Course: Endocrinology (upper level course in the Biology Department for Biology Majors)
Responsibilities: I designed the course to include lectures with biomedical and comparative perspectives; that test all material covered; and hypothesis-driven student projects
Wellesley College, Postdoctoral Fellow, Wellesley, MA, (9/2007-8/2009)
Research: Neuroendocrine control of reproductive behaviors, Laboratory: Dean Adele Wolfson
Biomedical research in the Chemistry Department in collaboration with the Neuroscience Program: I published 2 articles and a book chapter
Advising: I supervised and mentored 8 undergraduate students, and I continue to advise/consult students.
Bentley University, Waltham, MA, (4/2005; 4/2006)
Invited guest lecturer: I taught Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution to non-Biology Majors.
Tufts University, Ph.D. Dissertation, Medford, MA, (9/2002-8/2007)
Research: Vertebrate endocrinology, Laboratory: Dr. L. Michael Romero
I published 9 research articles and 2 review articles, presented research at 2 National and 4 International conferences, and received 3 grants and fellowships.
Advising: I supervised and mentored 3 undergraduate students.
Dyax Co., Research Technician, Cambridge, MA,(6/2002-8/2002)
Phagemid technology to identify specific cell surface proteins; Advisor: Dr. Isaac London
Techniques: I used western blot analyses, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify targets for prostate cancer therapeutics.
Beloit College, Instructor, Beloit, WI, (1/2002-5/2002)
Course: Introduction to Zoology
Responsibilities: This was a workshop style class where I combined lecture, lab and multiple activities to introduce the topic of Zoology.
Tufts University, Medford, MA, (9/2002-8/2007)
Teaching Assistantships: I taught the laboratory portion of General Biology, and assisted in Genetics.
GRANTS AND HONORS (Selected)
PUBLICATIONS (please note my Maiden name is Poirier)
† denotes a student author
INVITED PRESENTATIONS (selected)
PRESENTATIONS (selected)
Attendance at Professional Meetings at which my Stonehill Research Students Presented:
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND MEMBERSHIP
Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, Ph.D. Biology, (2002-2007)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, MS Biology, Wisconsin, (1999-2002)
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, B.S. and B.A. Biology, (1994-1998)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Stonehill College, Stonehill College, Associate Professor, Easton, MA, (8/2019-present)
Stonehill College, Assistant Professor, Easton, MA, (8/2014-8/2019)
Stonehill College, Visiting Assistant Professor, Easton, MA, (8/2013-5/2014)
Courses: Neuroscience (upper-level (Capstone) lecture and lab for Biology and Neuroscience Majors), Endocrinology (mid-level lecture and lab for Biology Majors), Neuroscience learning community course; Biology lab (introductory lab for Biology Majors)
Responsibilities: Neuroscience and Endocrinology students learn from biomedical and comparative studies. Students also learn from problem-based learning activities. Community-based learning is incorporated into the Neuroscience learning community course. In lab, they study anatomy and perform physiology experiments.
Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Providence, RI, (10/2009-8/2013)
Research: Neuronal mechanisms regulating obesity, Laboratory: Dr. Eduardo Nillni
Biomedical research in the Department of Medicine/Division of Endocrinology: I published 6 research articles, presented research at 4 National conferences, and received 3 grants and awards.
Advising: I supervised and mentored undergraduate (9 total), medical school (2), and graduate (1) students.
Protocols: I wrote all lab protocols to strictly adhere to federal regulations.
Saylor Foundation, Salor.org, (9/2010-4/2010)
Responsibilities: I reviewed and edited all aspects of online courses in Biology
Courses: Neurobiology, Cell biology, Human physiology, Zoology, and Evolutionary biology
Tufts University, Instructor, Medford, MA, (9/2009-12/2009)
Course: Endocrinology (upper level course in the Biology Department for Biology Majors)
Responsibilities: I designed the course to include lectures with biomedical and comparative perspectives; that test all material covered; and hypothesis-driven student projects
Wellesley College, Postdoctoral Fellow, Wellesley, MA, (9/2007-8/2009)
Research: Neuroendocrine control of reproductive behaviors, Laboratory: Dean Adele Wolfson
Biomedical research in the Chemistry Department in collaboration with the Neuroscience Program: I published 2 articles and a book chapter
Advising: I supervised and mentored 8 undergraduate students, and I continue to advise/consult students.
Bentley University, Waltham, MA, (4/2005; 4/2006)
Invited guest lecturer: I taught Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution to non-Biology Majors.
Tufts University, Ph.D. Dissertation, Medford, MA, (9/2002-8/2007)
Research: Vertebrate endocrinology, Laboratory: Dr. L. Michael Romero
I published 9 research articles and 2 review articles, presented research at 2 National and 4 International conferences, and received 3 grants and fellowships.
Advising: I supervised and mentored 3 undergraduate students.
Dyax Co., Research Technician, Cambridge, MA,(6/2002-8/2002)
Phagemid technology to identify specific cell surface proteins; Advisor: Dr. Isaac London
Techniques: I used western blot analyses, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify targets for prostate cancer therapeutics.
Beloit College, Instructor, Beloit, WI, (1/2002-5/2002)
Course: Introduction to Zoology
Responsibilities: This was a workshop style class where I combined lecture, lab and multiple activities to introduce the topic of Zoology.
Tufts University, Medford, MA, (9/2002-8/2007)
Teaching Assistantships: I taught the laboratory portion of General Biology, and assisted in Genetics.
GRANTS AND HONORS (Selected)
- Grant: National Science Foundation (NSF), Strand 2: S-STEM: Design & Dev - Type 1; My role: Co- Principal Investigator, Scholar meetings coordinator and Neuroscience Program contact; Title: Overcoming the Challenges to the Science Education of a Liberal Arts College for Economically Disadvantaged Students, Lead Principal Investigator: Prof. Louis Liotta, ($999,999 from 06/1/2017 - 05/31/2022)
- Grant: Inclusive Excellence Grant; My role: Principal Investigator, supervise all aspects fo the grant. Title: Community building and peer mentorship among S-STEM scholars (10/2019-5/2020)
- Grant: Science Undergraduate Research Grant from LiCor for 40% discount for the purchase of the LI-COR Odyssey Fc (equipment to measure protein and DNA). My role: Principal Investigator, the equipment is shared and used by science faculty, ($18,400 April, 2018)
- Jean Hamler Diversity & Social Justice Award, Stonehill College – awarded to the participants of the STEM Mentoring Faculty Learning Community, (2018)
- Dr. George A. Bray Research Scholars Award in obesity research, My role: Principal Investigator, (9/2011-8/2013)
- Outstanding Abstract Award, Endocrine Society, (2012 and 2013)
- Outstanding Paper in the journal: Hormones and Behavior, (2012)
PUBLICATIONS (please note my Maiden name is Poirier)
† denotes a student author
- N.E. Cyr (2017). “Brevity is the soul of wit”: Use of a stepwise project to teach concise scientific writing. The Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education (JUNE) 16:A46-A51. http://www.funjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/june-16-46.pdf?x91298
- AM Toorie, N.E. Cyr, JS Steger†, R Beckman†, G Farah*, EA Nillni. (2016). The Nutrient and Energy Sensor Sirt1 Regulates the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis by Altering the Production of the Prohormone Convertase 2 (PC2) Essential in the Maturation of Corticotropin-releasing Hormone (CRH) from Its Prohormone in Male Rats. J Biol Chem 29:5844-59. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4786719/
- N.E. Cyr, JS Steger†, AM Toorie, JZ Yang, R Stuart, EA Nillni. (2014). Central Sirt1 regulates body weight and energy expenditure along with the POMC-derived peptide α-MSH and the processing enzyme CPE production in diet-induced obesity male rats. Endocrinology 155(7):2423-35. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4330311/
- Çakir*, N.E. Cyr*, M. Perello*, B. Patedakis Litvinov†, A. Romero. et al. (2013). Obesity induces hypothalamic endoplasmic reticulum stress and impairs proopiomelanocortin (POMC) post-translational processing. Journal of Biological Chemistry 288(24):17675-88. *these 3 authors contributed equally to the work. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3682568/
- N.E. Cyr, A. M. Toorie, J. S. Steger, S†. Hyner, M. Sochat†, M. Perello, R. Stuart, and E. A. Nillni (2013) Mechanisms by which the orexigen Neuropeptide Y (NPY) regulates anorexigenic α -melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism 304:E640-50. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3602689/
- N.E. Cyr, R.C Stuart, X.Zhu, D. F. Steiner, and E.. A. Nillni. (2012) Biosynthesis of proTRH-derived peptides in prohormone convertase 1 and 2 knockout mice. Peptides 35: 42-48. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196978112001155?via%3Dihub
- Cabral, S. Valdivia, M. Reynaldo, N.E. Cyr, E.A. Nillni, M. Perello. (2012). Short-term cold exposure activates TRH neurons exclusively in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and raphe pallidus Neurosci Lett. 518:86-91. 518:86-91. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304394012006052?via%3Dihub
- A.J. Wolfson, N.E. Cyr, L.A. Bruce, J.W. Qiao†, C.C. DeFries, and M.J. Tetel (2012) Regulation of neuropeptidases involved in reproductive physiology by estradiol. In: Estrogen Receptors: Mechanisms, Structure and Role in Disease, G.C. Chen, editor,. New York: Nova Science Publishers. pp. 61-67. ISBN: 978-1-62257-180-2 https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=34561
- L.A. Bruce, L.A., N.E. Cyr, J.W. Qiao†, C.C. DeFries, M.J. Tetel, and A.J. Wolfson. (2012). Neuropeptidase activity is down-regulated by estradiol in steroid sensitive regions of the hypothalamus in female mice. Neuropeptides. 46:167-172. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3404208/
- BC. De Jonghe, MR. Hayes, R. Banno, K.P. Skibicka, D.J. Zimmer, K.A. Bowen, T.M. Leichner, A.L. Alhadeff, S.E. Kanoski, N.E. Cyr, E.A. Nillni, H.J. Grill, K.K. Bence (2011). Deficiency of PTP1B in POMC neurons leads to alterations in energy balance and homeostatic response to cold exposure. American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism. 300: E1002-11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3118594/
- C. M. Bauer , L. W. Glassman, N. E. Cyr , L. M. Romero (2011). Effects of predictable and unpredictable food restriction on the stress response in molting and non-molting European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 160: 390-399. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1095643311002121?via%3Dihub
- M. Perello, I. Çakir, N. E. Cyr, A. Romero, R. C. Stuart, F. Chiappini, A. N. Hollenberg, and E. A. Nillni (2010) Maintenance of the thyroid axis during diet-induced obesity in rodents is controlled at the central level. American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism 299: E976-89. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3006258/
- N.E. Cyr, L. Kua†, J. G. Chadwick, L. A. Bruce, M. J. Tetel and A.J. Wolfson (2010) Nuclear thimet oligopeptidase is coexpressed with oestrogen receptor alpha in hypothalamic cells and regulated by oestradiol in female mice. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 22: 936-943. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921797/
- M.N. Vitousek, L.M. Romero, E. Tarlow, N.E. Cyr, M. Wikelski (2010). Island tameness: an altered cardiovascular stress response in Galápagos marine iguanas. Physiology and Behavior 99: 544-8. (Cover article). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938410000296
- N.E. Cyr, M.J. Dickens, and L.M. Romero (2009) Heart rate and heart rate variability responses to acute and chronic stress in a wild-caught passerine bird. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. 82: 332-344. http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/589839
- L.M. Romero, M. J. Dickens, N.E. Cyr (2009) The reactive scope model — A new model integrating homeostasis, allostasis, and stress. Hormones and Behavior 55: 375-389. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0018506X08003383?via%3Dihub
- N.E. Cyr, L.M. Romero (2009) Identifying hormonal habituation in field studies of stress. General and Comparative Endocrinology 161: 295-303. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016648009000665?via%3Dihub
- M.J. Dickens, L.M. Romero, N.E. Cyr, S. L. Meddle (2009) Chronic stress alters glucocorticoid receptor and mineralocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) brain. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 21: 832-840. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19686439
- N.E. Cyr., M. Wikelski, L.M. Romero (2008) Increased energy expenditure but decreased stress responsiveness during molt. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 81: 452–462. http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/589547
- N.E. Cyr and L.M. Romero (2008) Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites of experimentally stressed captive and free-living starlings: implications for conservation research. General and Comparative Endocrinology 158: 20–28. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016648008001901?via%3Dihub
- L.M. Romero, C. J. Meister, N.E. Cyr, G.J. Kenagy, J. C. Wingfield (2008) Seasonal glucocorticoid responses to capture in wild free-living mammals. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 294: R614-R622. http://www.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpregu.00752.2007?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed
- N.E. Cyr, K. Earle, C. Tam†, and L. M. Romero (2007) Changes in corticosterone, plasma metabolite, and immune responsiveness of European Starlings subjected to chronic psychological stress. General and Comparative Endocrinology 154: 59-66. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016648007002432?via%3Dihub
- N.E. Cyr and L.M. Romero. (2007) Chronic stress in free-living European starlings reduces corticosterone concentrations and reproductive success. General and Comparative Endocrinology 151: 82-89. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016648006003832?via%3Dihub
- L. M. Romero, N.E. Cyr, and R.C. Romero (2006) Corticosterone responses change seasonally in free-living house sparrows (Passer domesticus). General and Comparative Endocrinology 149: 58-69. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016648006001481?via%3Dihub
- N.E. Poirier, L.A. Whittingham, and P.O. Dunn (2004) Males achieve greater reproductive success through multiple broods, than through extrapair mating in house wrens. Animal Behaviour 67: 1109-1116. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347204000673
- D.M. Bauer, N.E. Cyr, S.K. Swallow (2004) Public preferences for compensatory mitigation of salt marsh losses: a contingent choice of alternatives. Conservation biology 18: 401-411. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3589219?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
- N.E. Poirier, L.A. Whittingham, and P.O. Dunn (2003) Effects of paternity and mate availability on mate switching in house wrens. The Condor 105: 816-821. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1370585?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
- L.A. Whittingham, S.M. Valkenaar†, N.E. Poirier and P.O. Dunn. (2002) Maternal condition and nestling sex ratio in house wrens. The Auk 119: 125-131. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4090017?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
INVITED PRESENTATIONS (selected)
- Endocrine Society. San Francisco, CA (2013)
- Endocrine Society. Houston, TX (abstract chosen for oral presentation), (2012)
- Rhode Island Hospital (CRF), Providence, RI. Invited speaker, (2011)
- Brown University, Providence, RI. Invited speaker , (2009)
- North American Ornithological Conference, Portland, OR. Invited speaker, (2008)
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Invited speaker, (2008)
- Tufts University, Medford, MA. Invited speaker, (2008) Tufts Graduate Student Orientation
PRESENTATIONS (selected)
- Endocrine Society. Boston, MA, (2011)
- Endocrine Society. San Diego, CA. (2010)
- Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Phoenix, AZ, (2007)
- Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Phoenix, AZ, (2007)
- 24th International Ornithological Congress. Hamburg, Germany, (2006)
- 15th International Congress of Comparative Endocrinology. Boston, MA, (2005)
- 8th International Symposium on Avian Endocrinology. Scottsdale, AZ, (2004)
- Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. New Orleans, LA, (2004)
Attendance at Professional Meetings at which my Stonehill Research Students Presented:
- Neuron Conference in Quinnipiac, CT (2017) - Ashley Volz, Cassandra Daisy and Dan Thadeio Presented
- Endocrine Society Conference in Boston MA (2016) - Ashleigh Burton Presented
- Neuron Conference in Quinnipiac, CT (2016) - Ashleigh Burton and Taylor Mace Presented
- Neuron Conference in Quinnipiac, CT (2015) - George Farah Presented
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND MEMBERSHIP
- Peer reviewer: PLoS ONE, Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, General and Comparative Endocrinology, Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal of Field Ornithology, Ecography, and Annales Zoologici Fennici
- Course reviewer: Saylor Foundation, Saylor.Org. Human physiology, Cell biology, Neurobiology, Zoology, and Evolutionary biology
- Endocrine Society: member
- Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology – Member of the Division of Comparative Endocrinology and The Division of Neurobiology
- Science Fair judge: Massachusetts State Science Fair, Bishop Feehan High School (Attleboro, MA)