Caitlin N. Friesen

Mar 8, 2024
Neuroscience Institute
Georgia State University
caitlin.friesen@gmail.com

website :: GitHub :: LinkedIn :: Twitter :: portfolio

Research Interests

hormones and behavior * social behavior and reproduction * neuroendocrinology * behavioral ecology * applied and evolutionary physiology * organismal response to stress and stressors * anthropogenic stress

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
2013-present (defense date: Oct 15, 2021)
Section of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Supervisor: Dr. Hans A. Hofmann

Master of Science in Biology
2009-2011
Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC
Supervisors: Dr. Lauren Chapman and Dr. Nadia Aubin-Horth
The effect of hypoxia on reproductive processes in the African cichlid Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor victoriae

Bachelor in Science in Biology
2003-2007
Department of Biology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB
Honors with Great Distinction
Cumulative G.P.A. 3.73

Grants and Fellowships

Graduate School Summer 2021 Fellowship, UT Austin, $11 000, 2021
Graduate School Continuing Fellowship, UT Austin, $8 409, 2018
P.E.O. Scholar Award, $15 000, 2018
Zoology Scholarship Endowment for Excellence, UT Austin Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, $8 000, 2017
EcoLab Research Grant, Texas EcoLab Program, $9 872, 2015
GK-12 Teaching Fellowship, National Science Foundation Program at UT Austin (declined), 2014
Postgraduate Scholarship, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, $63 000, 2012
Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, $105 000, (declined), 2012
Postgraduate Scholarship, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, $17 500, 2009
Queen Elizabeth Graduate Master’s Scholarship, University of Calgary, $6 200 (declined), 2008
Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction, Government of Alberta, $15 000, 2008

Honors and Awards

2022 Postdoctoral Association Award for Outstanding Oral Presentation, GSU, $150, 2022
BIO Outstanding TA Award, UT Austin Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, $500, 2020
Travel Award, Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (SBN), $500, 2019
Graduate Dean’s Prestigious Fellowship Supplement, UT Austin, $1000, 2018
PANS Trainee Travel Award for ICN 2018, $485, 2018
Student Research Grant, Animal Behavior Society, $1 000, 2016
BIO Outstanding TA Nomination, UT Austin Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, 2014
Graduate Dean’s Prestigious Fellowship Supplement, UT Austin, $1 000, 2014
Start up Grant, UT Austin Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, $2 000, 2014
Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award, McGill University, $500, 2011
Third Place Talk, 2010 Canadian Society of Ecology and Evolution Meeting, $200, 2010
Principal’s Graduate Scholarship, McGill University, $2 500, 2009
Principal’s Graduate Scholarship, McGill University, $5 000, 2009
Provost’s Graduate Scholarship, McGill University, $1 500, 2009
Jason Lang Scholarship, University of Lethbridge, $1 000, 2005-2007

Publications

Friesen CN, Maclain KD, Hofmann HA (2022). Social status mediates behavioral, endocrine, and neural responses to an intruder challenge in a social cichlid, Astatotilapia burtoni. Hormones and Behavior doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105241

Antunes DF, Teles MC, Zuelling M, Friesen CN, Oliveira RF, Aubin-Horth N, and Taborsky B (2021). Early social deprivation shapes neuronal programming of the social decision-making network in a cooperatively breeding fish. Molecular Ecology doi.org/10.1111/mec.16019

Lynch KS, Louder MIM, Friesen CN, Fischer EK, Xiang A, Steele A, and Shalov J (2020). Examining the disconnect between prolactin and parental care in avian brood parasites. Genes, Brain and Behavior doi.org/10.1111/gbb.12653

Friesen CN, Hofmann HA (2019). Molecular origins and outcomes of status and stress in primates. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1819472116

Friesen CN, Ramsey ME, and Cummings ME (2017). Differential sensitivity to estrogen-induced opsin expression in two poeciliid freshwater fish species. General and Comparative Endocrinology doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.12.009

Crothers L, Saporito RA, Yeager J, Lynch K, Friesen CN, Richards-Zawacki CL, McGraw K, and Cummings M (2016). Warning signal properties covary with toxicity but not testosterone or aggregate carotenoids in a poison frog. Evolutionary Ecology doi/10.1007/s10682-016-9830-y

McNeil GV, Friesen CN, Gray SM, Aldredge A, and Chapman LJ (2016). Male colour variation in a eurytopic Afican cichlid: the role of diet and hypoxia. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society doi/10.1111/bij.12748/epdf

Friesen CN, Aubin-Horth N, and Chapman LJ (2012). The effect of hypoxia on sex hormones in an African cichlid Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor victoriae. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 162(1): 22-30. doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2012.01.019

Friesen CN, Chapman LJ, and Aubin-Horth N (2012). Holding water steroid hormones in the African cichlid fish Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor victoriae. General and Comparative Endocrinology 179(2012): 400-405. doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.07.031

Non-reviewed Publications

Friesen CN, Hontela A (2012). The potential effects of cadmium and other mixed metal mining effluents on fish species in Morrison Lake, with particular emphasis on sockeye salmon. Review commissioned by Skeena Fisheries Commission. Submitted to the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, April 2012.

Presentations

Friesen CN, Schappaugh N, Selke A, de Vries GJ, Petrulis A. “Sex and social experience mediate vasopressin 1a receptor distribution in the lateral septum of mice”, Oral presentation, Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Nov 13, 2023

Friesen CN, Selke A, de Vries GJ, Petrulis A. “The effects of sex and social experience on vasopressin 1a receptor expression in mice”, Oral presentation, Georgia State University Postdoctoral Symposium, Sept 23, 2022

Friesen CN. “Patterns of dominance in a social fish”, Oral presentation, Neuroscience Institute of Georgia State University Seminar Series, July 8, 2022

Friesen CN, Han J, Young RL, Hofmann HA. “Physiological and molecular correlates of variation in space use and aggression in a highly social fish”. The 57th Annual Conference of the Animal Behavior Society, July 28-31, 2020

Friesen CN, Han J, Young RL, Hofmann HA. “Using correlated patterns of behavioral and molecular variation to understand individual variation”. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Meeting, Jan 5, 2020

Friesen CN, Han J, Young RL, Hofmann HA. “Integrating behavior, physiology, and neural gene expression to understand individual variation”. Brain, Behavior, and Evolution Seminar, November 15, 2019

Han J, Friesen CN, Young RL, Hofmann HA. “Bioinformatics Meets Social Neuroscience: Brain Transcriptomes Vary According to Social Status”. TACC Symposium for Texas Researchers, September 26, 2019

Friesen CN, Han J, Young RL, Hofmann HA. “Variations of Social Status: Identifying the neuroendocrine characteristics of dominance styles in a highly social cichlid fish”. 23rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, June 20, 2019

Friesen CN, Hofmann HA. “Causes and consequences of individual variation in social groups”. 9th International Congress of Neuroendocrinology, July 17, 2018

Friesen CN, Hofmann HA. “Dudes and broods: An integrative approach to individual variation”. Brain, Behavior, and Evolution Seminar, April 27, 2018

Friesen CN. “What it means to be a scientist”. Science Under the Stars, Sept 14, 2017

Friesen CN, Ramsey ME, Cummings ME. “Differential sensitivity of opsin expression to estrogen manipulation in two poeciliid freshwater fishes”. Evolution Conference, June 20, 2016

Friesen CN, Cummings ME. “ Tune in to see: The impact of sex steroids on visually-mediated mate choice in Poeciliids”. Graduate Seminar in Physiology and Behavior, Dec 5, 2014

Friesen CN, Cummings ME. “Beauty in the eye of the beholder: Do sex hormones modulate visual mate choice in sailfin mollies?” Genomes to/aux Biomes Montreal, May 26, 2014

Friesen CN, Cummings ME. “Sex steroids and sensory signals: Do hormones influence visually-mediated mate choice in sailfin mollies?”, 10th Integrative Biology Graduate Student Symposium, Apr 12th, 2014

Friesen CN, Chapman LJ, and Aubin-Horth N. “The sex lives of fish in breathtaking environments”. Graduate Seminar in Physiology and Behavior, Sept 6, 2013

Friesen CN, Chapman LJ, and Aubin-Horth N. “With ‘Baited’ Breath: The sex lives of cichlids under low oxygen”. Ecology and Evolution Lunch, Nov 2, 2011

Friesen CN, Chapman LJ, and Aubin-Horth N. “Breathtaking Environments: Does low oxygen affect hormones in an African cichlid?” Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, May 14, 2011

Friesen CN. “Africa, oxygen, and sex hormones in a frisky fish”. University of Lethbridge, July 27, 2010

Friesen CN, Chapman LJ, and Aubin-Horth N. “To breed or not to breed: Does low oxygen affect sex hormones in an African cichlid?” Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Dec 1, 2010

Friesen CN, Chapman LJ, and Aubin-Horth N. “Hypoxia, sex steroids, and cichlids: Does hypoxia alter hormones in a frisky fish?” Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, May 10, 2010

Friesen CN. “Hassled hormones: Does oxygen affect sex hormones in an African cichlid? Oral presentation, McGill Biology Graduate Student Symposium, December 8, 2009

Friesen CN, Chapman LJ, and Aubin-Horth N. “Hassled Hormones” Poster session, 34th SQEBC, November 13 – 15, 2009.

Hontela A, Quinn A, Friesen CN, and Vijayan MM. Adrenal toxicity of the pesticide Dimethoate in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss and fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas. Poster session, 6th International Symposium of Fish Endocrinology, June 2008.

Research and Related Work Experience

Research Intern: Biology Department, University of California Riverside, CA. May – Aug 2013
Topic: Ecological Evolutionary Theory – FIBR Guppy Project in Trinidad
• Conducted comparative field surveys of wild experimental populations of guppies.
• Performed elastomer tagging of live fish and collected life history data.
• Work supervised by David Reznick of University of California Riverside.

Research Assistant: Biology Department, McGill University, QC.
Sept 2012 – April 2013
Topic: Applied Conservation – FQRNT Environmental Physiology project
• Conducted respirometry and swim trial experiments with electric fish.
• Conducted biochemical analyses on electric fish tissues.
• Work supervised by Lauren Chapman and Rudiger Krahe of McGill University.

Research Assistant: Biology Department, McGill University, QC. May – Sept 2012
Topic: Applied Conservation – Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) research project
• Compiled secondary data to create a multi-species data set incorporating research studies from multiple coastlines across the world.
• Created a comprehensive database by standardizing data entry of nearly 1000 research articles.
• Contacted other scientists by email to initiate a collaborative research project.
• Work supervised by Frederic Guichard of McGill University.

Research Assistant: Biology Department, University of Lethbridge, AB. Jan – May 2012
Topic: Applied Toxicology
• Collaborated with an aboriginal fisheries organization on a research project analyzing the effects of a proposed copper-gold mine on the associated freshwater fish community. Collected secondary data from government and academic agencies and analyzed the effects of mixed metal effluents on various fish species. Interlinked data in one comprehensive document that allowed comparison between multiple fish species and different routes and doses of exposure to various metals. Presented research findings in a published report.
• Helped design and implement a research project investigating the effects of handling stress on stress hormones in fish. Trained three colleagues to measure fish hormones from blood and holding water samples in various fish species.
• Work supervised by Alice Hontela of the University of Lethbridge.

Field Research: Kibale National Park, Uganda. May – July 2010
Topic: Environmental Physiology – The effect of low oxygen on reproductive traits in an African cichlid.
• Designed and managed on-site experiments.
• Collaborated with local colleagues to collect live specimens and extract tissue and hormone samples.
• Work supervised by Lauren J. Chapman of McGill University.

Research Assistant: Biology Department, University of Lethbridge, AB. Sept – Dec 2008
Topic: Ecotoxicology – The tolerance of freshwater fish to commonly occurring pesticides.
• Developed experimental protocols and organized laboratory proceedings.
• Conducted in vitro toxicology experiments.
• Work supervised by Alice Hontela of the University of Lethbridge.

Research Project: Biology Department, University of Lethbridge, AB. Sept – Dec 2007
Topic: Toxicology & Parasitology – The effects of pesticide exposure and parasite loads on fish.
• Researched, organized, and conducted a factorial study with fathead minnows.
• Performed diagnostic analyses that quantified parasite loads in Southern Alberta horses.
• Work supervised by Cam Goater of the University of Lethbridge.

Research Assistant: Biology Department, University of Lethbridge, AB. May – Sept 2006
Topic: Ecotoxicology – The effect of endocrine disrupting chemicals on male fish.
• Collaborated with a field team to collect fathead minnows from canals using netting and electro-fishing
• Conducted dissections and biochemical assays on fish samples.
• Work supervised by Alice Hontela of the University of Lethbridge.

Research Project: Biology Department, University of Lethbridge, AB. Jan – May 2006
Topic: Cognitive Neuroscience – Neural mechanisms associated with auditory perception.
• Collaborated with a research team in the Electroencephalography (EEG) Lab in the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience.
• Coordinated with two other undergraduate students to research and design an EEG instruction manual
• Organized and helped conduct weekly EEG experiments.
• Work supervised by Matthew S. Tata of the University of Lethbridge.

Research Assistant: Biology Department, University of Lethbridge, AB.
May – Sept 2005
Topic: Ecology – A wide scale survey of freshwater fishes in Southern Alberta rivers.
• Conducted extensive literature review and data analysis
• Collaborated with a team of field researchers to seine and electrofish in the Oldman River
• Identified various invertebrate and fish species.
• Work supervised by Joseph B. Rasmussen of the University of Lethbridge.

Skills from Experience

• grant and proposal writing • research methodology • data management and analysis • statistical analysis •
Field Techniques: animal handling experience (with Animal Safety Certification), and experience seining, netting, trapping, and electro-fishing
Laboratory Techniques: gel electrophoresis, western blotting, radioactive bioassay, ELISA, qPCR, RNA and protein extraction, brain dissections, tissue micro punches, histology, PFA fixing and tissue prep, and immunohistochemistry
Computer Techniques: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, R, Python, GitHub
Teaching Techniques: experience with Blackboard, Canvas, and other management systems while teaching laboratory and discussion sessions

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant: Marine Biology Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA.
• Neural Systems and Behavior. Led student groups, supervised techniques and presentations. July 2015

Teaching Assistant: Section of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, TX.
• BIOL 311D: Introductory Biology II. Taught discussion sections, graded quizzes, assignments, and exams. Instructor rating: 4.5/5 Jan – May 2021
• BIOL 311C: Introductory Biology I. Taught discussion sections, graded quizzes, assignments, and exams. Instructor rating: 4.7/5 Sept – Dec 2020
• BIOL 311D: Introductory Biology II. Taught discussion sections, graded quizzes, assignments, and exams. Instructor rating: 4.9/5 Jan – May 2020
• BIOL 311C: Introductory Biology I. Taught discussion sections, graded quizzes, assignments, and exams. Instructor rating: 4.45/5 Sept – Dec 2019
• BIOL 301L: Molecules to Organisms. Taught discussion sections, graded quizzes, assignments, and exams. Instructor rating: 4.2/5 Jan – May 2018
• BIOL 311C: Introduction to Biology. Taught discussion sections, graded quizzes, assignments, and exams. Instructor rating: 4.1/5 Sept – Dec 2017
• BIOL 301L: Molecules to Organisms. Taught discussion sections, graded quizzes, assignments, and exams. Instructor rating: 4.4/5 Jan – May 2017
• BIOL 455L: Vertebrate Natural History. Led field trips, graded assignments, quizzes, and exams. No instructor rating available. Jan – May 2016
• BIOL 361T: Comparative Animal Physiology. Taught discussion sections, graded quizzes, assignments, and exams. Instructor rating: 4.6/5 Sept – Dec 2015
• BIOL 325L: Genetics Laboratory. Taught laboratory sections, prepared and graded quizzes, assignments, and exams. Instructor rating: 4.95/5 Jan – May 2015
• BIOL 301M: Ecology, Evolution, and Society. Taught discussion sections, prepared and graded quizzes, assignments, and exams. Instructor rating: 4.3/5 Jan – May 2013

Teaching Assistant: Biology Department, McGill University, QC.
• BIOL 111: Organismal Biology. Organized laboratories, prepared exams, coordinated student discussions and review sessions. Sept – Dec 2011
• BIOL 112: Cell and Molecular Biology. Created presentations, graded assignments and quizzes, organized laboratory experiments. Jan – May 2011
• BIOL 112: Cell and Molecular Biology. Created presentations, graded assignments and quizzes, organized laboratory experiments. Jan – May 2009

Mentoring and Public Engagement

INSTINCT REU - UT Austin Research Internship Program, Near-peer Mentor, 2021
Adopt-a-Creek, Keep Austin Beautiful, Adopter, 2017-present
Austin Science Advocates, Member and Digest Contributor, 2016-present
Crockett HS - UT Austin Research Internship Program, Mentor, 2016-present
Feature Scientist for KVUE, Scientist Interviewed on Bird Aggression, 2017
Letters to a Pre-Scientist, Scientist Letter Writer, 2016-2017
Environmental Science Institute, GK-12 SciRes Associate, 2015
Science Under the Stars, Public Outreach and Children’s Activity Coordinator, 2014, 2017
Laurel Mountain Elementary, Dads and Daughters Workshop, Volunteer, 2014
University of Texas at Austin, GK-12 Associates Program, Volunteer, 2014
McGill University, EMSB Career Exploration Program Volunteer, 2013
Chinook Health Region, Emergency Department Volunteer, 2012
McGill University, Department of Biology, Organismal Seminar Organizer, 2010-2011
McGill University, Biology Graduate Student’s Association, Treasurer, 2009-2011
McGill Peer-to-peer Volunteer, 2009-2010
McGill University, Biology Graduate Student’s Association, PGSS Representative, 2009
McGill University, Department of Biology, Graduate Student Symposium Organizer, 2009
Marianapolis Science Camp. DNA Extraction Demonstrator, 2009
Chinook Health Region, Emergency Department Volunteer, 2006-2007
Southern Alberta Art Gallery Volunteer, 2003-2007

Manuscripts Reviewed

Behavioral Brain Research (1)
Biology Letters (1)
Environmental Sciences (1)
Environmental Science and Pollution Research (1) Ethology (1)
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience (1)
General and Comparative Endocrinology (2)
Integrative and Comparative Biology (1)
Journal of Aquaculture and Fisheries (2)
Journal of Experimental Biology (1)
Molecular Ecology (3)
Molecular Neurobiology (1)
Physiology and Behavior (1)
Proceedings of the Royal Society B (1) Scientific Reports (1)