Dr. Rachel Cohen, Professor

Degree

• PhD; Zoology; Michigan State University, 2011
• BS; Ecology, Behavior and Evolution; UCLA, 2007

Training

• Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Eliot Brenowitz at the University of Washington, 2011-2013

Research Interests

• Behavioral neuroendocrinology
• Sex and seasonal differences in brain and behavior
• Steroid hormone effects in the brain

Research in my laboratory focuses on the role of gonadal steroid hormones (testosterone and estrogens) in the brain. Specifically, we are interested in the neural control of steroid hormone production. We are also examining how steroid hormones impact regions of the brain that are important for reproductive behaviors. Feel free to email me if you are interested in working in my lab.

I teach Human Physiology (BIOL 330/310), General Endocrinology (BIOL 438/538), Research Methods (BIOL 602). I also teach in the Research Immersive Scholastic Experience in biology (RISEbio) program (BIOL 106/399) and mentor research students in Independent Study (Biol 499/677). I am committed to student learning, and the development of critical thinking skills. In order to help facilitate student learning, I try to develop tools that make lectures more interactive.

Cohen lab news

Alexus Bunnam and Taylor Grossen presenting their research at the 2022 Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology meeting in Phoenix, AZ. Also, congrats to graduate student Cai Tao and undergraduate students Jada Harley and Savannah Spencer on their recent publication in Hormones and Behavior!

Successful cohen lab poster presentations at the virtual 2021 Undergraduate Research Symposium.  Congrats to Jada Harley, Brooke Miles, Zach Sandborgh, Taylor Grossen, Alexus Bunnam, Alex Calli-Wehrman and Matt Broman! Also, congrats to graduate student Cai Tao on his successful thesis defense!

Last cohen lab meeting (via zoom) of 2020. Congrats to graduating Undergraduate students Taylor and Savannah!

Members of Dr. Cohen's research lab at the 2019 Undergraduate Research Symposium. From left to right: Abiola Olanrewaju, Kyle Mercer, Georgia Muelken, Hyejoo Kang, Dr. Cohen, Taylor Kenealy, Savannah Spencer, and Mohannad Alhuwaish. Congratulations to Kyle and Taylor for winning outstanding presentation awards!

Graduate students Hyejoo Kang and Sawan Talwar presenting their research posters at the 2018 Society for Neuroscience meeting in San Diego, CA.

Members of Dr. Cohen's research lab at the 2018 URS. From left to right: Kyle Mercer, Hyejoo Kang, Erin Baker, Dr. Cohen, Caitlin Foley, Sawan Talwar, and Mohannad Alhuwaish.

Members of Dr. Cohen's research lab at the 2017 Undergraduate Research Symposium. From left to right: Jefferson Imasuen, Caitlin Foley, Dr. Cohen, Jaden Roddick, Christine Klecker, Hyejoo Kang, and Mohannad Alhuwaish. Congratulations to Caitlin and Jaden for winning an outstanding poster award!