Karyn Frick

Karyn Frick is a Distinguished Professor and Neuroscience Area Chair in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She also serves as the Major Director for Neuroscience, and is actively involved in teaching and mentoring graduate students in the Neuroscience PhD and Health MS programs.

Education:

• Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University
• M.A., The Johns Hopkins University

Her research centers on the neuroendocrinology of memory, investigating how sex-steroid hormones, aging, and environmental factors influence hippocampal function and memory. Using rodent models, her lab integrates behavioral, pharmacological, genetic, and molecular techniques to uncover the mechanisms of memory consolidation. Her work has significant implications for understanding and treating age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and menopausal cognitive symptoms.

Dr. Frick's recent publications reveal a strong focus on estrogen receptor signaling, dendritic spine plasticity, and the development of selective estrogen receptor beta agonists (SERBAs) for cognitive enhancement. Her work bridges basic science with translational applications, including co-founding Estrigenix Therapeutics, Inc., a company developing novel treatments for menopause.

Scientific Awards:

• UW System Regent Scholar Award

She is an active mentor, advising PhD and master’s students, and is currently recruiting new graduate students. She has secured significant research funding and continues to apply for federal grants, including from the NIH. Her lab, the Neuroendocrinology of Memory Lab, is at the forefront of hormonal regulation of cognition and memory.

Laboratories and Teams:

• Neuroendocrinology of Memory Lab, UWM
• Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Estrigenix Therapeutics, Inc.