About
Jean Hardwick is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology at Ithaca College’s School of Humanities and Sciences. Her research focuses on neuronal regulation in the autonomic nervous system, particularly peptidergic modulation of the guinea pig cardiac plexus in chronic heart disease contexts. She serves as an advisor for the Biochemistry Program, Pre-Health Professions, and Neuroscience Minor, and is an active member of the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN).
- Degrees: BA in Biochemistry from Smith College, PhD in Physiology & Biophysics from the University of Vermont.
- Courses Taught (2025): BIOL 31500 Neurobiology, BIOL 12100 Principles of Biology (Cell & Molecular).
Research Interests: Dr. Hardwick investigates how neuropeptides like PACAP and Angiotensin II regulate cardiac neuron excitability through receptor signaling and endosomal pathways. Her NIH-funded work (2016-2020, $365,845) examines neuronal remodeling post-myocardial infarction to identify therapeutic targets for cardiac pathology.
Publications & Grants: Her research spans molecular mechanisms of receptor internalization (2017) to educational reforms in neuroscience curricula (2018). The NIH AREA R15 grant supported equipment upgrades and student research opportunities.
- Awards:
- Faculty Excellence Award, Ithaca College
- Distinguished Service Award, FUN
Mentorship: Over 20 students (e.g., Flora Tierney, Katie Luckett) have co-authored publications and presented at conferences like the Society for Neuroscience. Alumni include MDs, PhDs, and NIH postbaccalaureate fellows. She currently pauses student admissions due to administrative duties.
