Janet Fitzakerley
,
Credentials
PhD

Associate Professor
Biography

Bio

Dr. Fitzakerley is an auditory neuroscientist who investigates the physiological role of natriuretic peptides. View her lab page here. She is the Duluth Campus Coordinator for the University of Minnesota Brain Awareness Program and the Minnesota State Brain Bee.

Research Summary

Our lab investigates the role of natriuretic peptides in hearing, and in hypertension. Natriuretic peptides function as both local and systemic hormones, and they are involved in the regulation of fluid balance in many regions of the body. We are currently funded to investigate the changes in natriuretic peptide expression and function that occur in the heart during the earliest stages of hypertension. We also have a long-standing interest in determining the function of natiruretic peptides in the cochlea. Brain Awareness Brain Bee

Teaching Summary

Her teaching philosophy is: "I believe that teaching is a key responsibility of every scientist, as we have the fundamental duty to create and disseminate scientific knowledge. As a neurophysiologist, I think that there are basic concepts about brain function that everyone should understand, and it is part of my job to educate kids and the general public, as well as university students and other scientists, about the wonders of neuroscience." Read her complete philosophy here: https://www.d.umn.edu/~jfitzake/Lectures/Teaching.html

Dr. Fitzakerley serves as the course director for the Gastrointestinal Hepatobiliary System course (medical students), as well as several graduate level physiology and pharmacology courses. Her areas of expertise include: sensory and inner ear physiology; anticoagulants, thrombolytics and anti-platelet drugs; antineoplastics and antiemetics;, and GI drugs.

Education

PhD, Creighton University and Boys Town National Research Hospital
Major: Biomedical Sciences (physiology)
Ph.D. Program, Southern Illinois University
Major: Physiology (Pharmacology track)
Minor: Pharmacology
MS, University of Calgary
Major: Medical Physiology
B.Sc. (Hons.), Queen's University
Major: Life Sciences
Minor: Physiology

Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements

Postdoctoral Fellow, Fellowship
University of Louisville School of Medicine
Postdoctoral Fellow, Fellowship
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Professional Memberships

Co-coordinator, Brain Awareness Week, University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth
1998-2023
American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
2002-2015
American Physiological Society
2002-2015
Association for Research in Otolaryngology
Society for Neuroscience
Contact

Contact

Address

Department of Biomedical Sciences
307 SMed
1035 University Dr
Duluth, MN 55812