About
Neuroscientist & Educator
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Regis University
- Email: agibson006@regis.edu
- ORCID: 0000-0003-0817-2141
- Website: www.gibsonamanda.com
- Degree: PhD in Neuroscience, 2024
- Institution: University of Michigan
Dr. Amanda Gibson is a Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Regis University in Denver, CO. She joined the Regis faculty in August 2024 after completing her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Michigan. Amanda completed her dissertation with Dr. Sue Moenter, studying the effects of early-life and adult stress on reproduction. As a graduate student, Amanda was the recipient of a National Research Service Award and National Defense Science and Education Graduate Fellowship.
Amanda is passionate about teaching and consistently seeks opportunities to develop herself as an educator dedicated to student learning. At Regis University, Amanda teaches Introduction to Brain and Behavior and Neuroscience Methods and is a member of the Faculty Development Committee. While pursuing her PhD, Amanda was a part-time faculty member for a semester at Washtenaw Community College, teaching Anatomy and Physiology Lab. She also served as a graduate student instructor for human physiology and Graduate Student Instructional Consultant with the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching at the University of Michigan. Dating back to her time as an undergraduate student at Hope College, she was a teaching assistant for neuroscience, physiology, and chemistry courses.
In the summer of 2020, Amanda designed and co-led a 10-week, remote professional development workshop for undergraduate students interested in pursuing neuroscience research. As an instructional aide to the Neuroscience Graduate Program, Amanda was able to share what she had learned about the best practices for hybrid and remote instruction, with an emphasis on student-focused policies and clear communication. She continued advocating for teaching excellence in the graduate program as a member of the Curriculum Committee.
Abbreviated CV
Education
PhD Student in Neuroscience
2018 - 2024
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Candidate - May 2019
Master of Science in Neuroscience
2023
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Bachelor of Arts
2014-2018
Hope College, Holland, MI
Major in Psychology and Spanish
Minor in Chemistry and Neuroscience
Summa cum laude & Dean's List
Instructional Experience
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
Fall 2024-Present
Regis University, Denver, CO
- Courses taught: Introduction to Brain and Behavior, Neuroscience Methods
- Faculty advisor to undergraduate neuroscience majors
- Member of Faculty Development Committee
Part-time Faculty of Life Sciences
Fall 2023
Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, MI
- Lab instructor of record for Anatomy and Physiology - Normal Structure and Function (BIO 111)
- Course topics include the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive
Graduate Student Instructional Consultant
Fall 2021-Present
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Center for Research on Learning and Teaching
- Conduct individual consultations and classroom observations with graduate student instructors
- Facilitate midterm semester feedback sessions with students
- Review and provide feedback on teaching philosophy statements
- Contribute to active community of practice with other instructional consultants
Graduate Student Instructor for Human Physiology Discussion
Spring 2020-Fall 2020
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Professor: Dr. Elizabeth Rust
Instructional Aide for Neuroscience Graduate Program
Fall 2020
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Prepared and curated resources to assist course directors in implementing an effective Fall 2020 semester in remote and hybrid contexts
- Attended workshops facilitated by the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, and the Center for Academic Innovation and engaged with additional resources to ensure that recommendations were grounded in educational theory and best-practice from educators familiar with remote learning contexts
Facilitator for SIREN and NURO Professional Development Series
Summer 2020
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Co-Facilitators: Drs. Keith Duncan and Audrey Seasholtz
- Access a copy of the curriculum and a demonstration of the organization structure through this Google Site
- Designed and implemented a twice-weekly remote professional development curriculum to prepare rising senior undergraduate students for fellowship and graduate program applications
- Student had been invited to participate in the Summer Intensive Research Experience in Neuroscience (SIREN) and Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Opportunity (NURO) programs, but the in-person reseach component was canceled due to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
Teaching Assistant for Human Physiology Lecture and Laboratory
Spring 2018
Hope College, Holland, MI
Professor: Dr. Peter Vollbrecht
Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Neuroscience Lecture and Laboratory
Spring 2016-Spring 2017
Hope College, Holland, MI
Professors: Dr. Andrew Gall (Spring and Fall 2016) and Dr. Leah Chase (Fall 2017)
Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Fall 2016
Hope College, Holland, MI
Professor: Dr. Jeff Johnson
Publications
Early-Life Resource Scarcity in Mice Does Not Alter Adult Corticosterone or Preovulatory Luteinizing Hormone Surge Responses to Acute Psychosocial Stress
Amanda G Gibson, Suzanne M Moenter eNeuro 2024 July 15; 11(7): ENEURO.0125-24.2024. doi: 10.1523/ENEURO.0125-24.2024. PMID: 39009448; PMCID: PMC11287788
Prenatal Androgen Treatment Does Not Alter the Firing Activity of Hypothalamic Arcuate Kisspeptin Neurons in Female Mice
Amanda G Gibson, Jennifer Jaime, Laura L Burger, Suzanne M Moenter eNeuro. 2021 Sep 29;8(5):ENEURO.0306-21.2021. doi: 10.1523/ENEURO.0306-21.2021. PMID: 34503965; PMCID: PMC8482853
Research Experience
Characterization of the Effects of Early Life Manipulations on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and -Gonadal Axes Function
Spring 2019-Spring 2024
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Suzanne Moenter
Dissertation Committee Co-Chairs: Drs. Suzanne Moenter and Audrey Seasholtz
Members: Drs. Joanna Spencer-Segal, Kevin Jones, and Christian Burgess
Investigation of the Effects of a High Fat Diet on Circadian Rhythms in a Diurnal Rodent, the Nile Grass Rat
Fall 2017-Spring 2018
Hope College, Holland, MI
Mentors: Dr. Andrew Gall and Dr. Peter Vollbrecht
System xc- Regulation: Effects of Mutations on Membrane Expression and Ubiquitination
Summer 2016-Summer 2018
Hope College, Holland, MI
Mentor: Dr. Leah Chase
Evaluation of a Preschool, Nature-Based Enrichment Program
Fall 2015-Spring 2018
Hope College, Holland, MI
Mentor: Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown
Fellowships, Scholarships, and Awards
National Research Service Award
2022-2025
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Project Title: Modulation of the neuroendocrine control of reproduction by early-life and adult stress and their interactions
Role: Primary Investigator
Award Number: 1F31HD108872
Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor
Winter 2023
Rachkham Graduate School, University of Michigan
Recognizes the efforts and accomplishments of GSIs who demonstrate extraordinary dedication and excellence as teachers. Selected from nominations of graduate students across disciplines at the University of Michigan
Excellence in Teaching Award
Winter 2022
Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, University of Michigan
Competitively selected for commitment to creating an effective learning environment, overcoming remote learning roadblocks, and developing student potential
Arthur J. Vander Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award
Fall 2020
Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan
Awarded to a graduate student who taught in the Physiology 201 course and who has shown an outstanding approach to teaching
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship
2019-2022
Department of Defense
Excellence in Basic Science Award
2019-2021
Endowment for Basic Science, Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan
Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant
Fall 2019 and Winter 2022
University of Michigan
Bernard Maas Fellowship
Fall 2018
University of Michigan
Southland Award
Spring 2018
Hope College
Presented to the senior woman who exemplifies the highest standard of scholarship, character, and contributions during the four years of her college career
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Scholar
Summer 2016
Strengthening the Pathway to STEM Research Leadership at Hope College
Skills
GitHub
Code for public projects available at github.com/gibson-amandag
RStudio
Data analysis using RStudio, including interactive designs with RShiny
View project on GitHubView Shiny application
LabArchives
Widget design for LabArchives electronic research notebook
Widget templates on GitHubRead my help tutorials on Medium
Evaluations
Full evaluations available upon request
“ The way Dr. Gibson taught was most valuable to my learning. I have never felt so seen in a classroom before and she taught in a way that can work for everyone’s type of learning. She also worked so hard to make sure people understood the material and she did it in engaging ways. The way that she connected what we were learning to our daily lives and real world applications was so valuable. ”
~ Spring 2025 Intro to Brain and Behavior Student
“ Dr. Gibson was an amazing teacher. She was great in class with lecture and so understanding if I was ever behind. She really just cared about us learning and we had opportunities to fix our grades. I found it so helpful because I could really enjoy the class without the overwhelming pressure of a grade. The class was very challenging but in turn it made doing well very rewarding. ”
~ Fall 2025 Intro to Brain and Behavior Student
“ Please still continue to listen to the thoughts of yours students!! I felt very heard and helped this semester, which helped me really love the subject. ”
~ Fall 2025 Intro to Brain and Behavior Student
“Amanda was able to see I was struggling at some points, and she took the time to reach out to me and provide support. I never took her up on that offer, but I was deeply touched by her concern”
~ SIREN-NURO Student
“I think that Amanda was really hard–working and extremely helpful, and she put in a ton of effort to make sure that she was providing everyone in our class with what we needed, and gave us many additional resources that she didn't have to make, but did anyway because our discussion said that they would be useful”
~ Fall 2020 Physiology Student
“Amanda’s vocation is to teach!”
~ SIREN-NURO Student
“This was the best online transition out of all of my classes. Interactive discussion really worked, and the utilization of Zoom tools, videos, drawing things out, etc. was extremely beneficial”
~ Winter 2020 Physiology Student
“Amanda is so committed to her students! I really appreciated her perseverance through class format changes and did a great job of giving us material summaries and going through the tougher material.”
~ Fall 2020 Physiology Student
“Amanda has been my best GSI so far. She was extremely helpful, receptive, and truly cared”
~ Fall 2020 Physiology Student
“Amanda really encouraged learning the material on a level of detail I probably would not have heeded if I wasn't in her discussion section. This made me more fascinated and passionate about the course material. Her suggested study methods were brilliant and helped me immensely in preparing for exams, as well as synthesizing the material of multiple units together to gain a big picture understanding. I'm really grateful for her incredible instruction to help me through this course.”
~ Winter 2020 Physiology Student
“AMANDA IS LITERALLY SO AMAZING, SHES THE BEST. She cared for all of us and made sure we felt included. She’s an amazing teacher too.”
~ SIREN-NURO Student
“Amanda was an excellent GSI this semester. She was very knowledgeable about the subject and incorporated lots of activities into her discussion to keep us engaged and to make sure we understood the material. I believe she has gone above and beyond to accommodate our needs and support us through this transition. She not only cares about her students' success, but also about their personal well–being, and she has been incredibly understanding during these unusual times.”
~ Winter 2020 Physiology Student
Contact
Location:
3333 Regis Blvd, D-12,
Denver, CO 80221
Email:
agibson006@regis.edu