Kristy Gould

Professor Kristy Gould holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a B.A. in Biology from Dakota Wesleyan University. She teaches courses in General Psychology, Animal Cognition, Brain and Behavior, and Learning and Behavior at Luther College's Department of Psychology.

Her research focuses on corvid cognition and avian neurobiology, investigating spatial memory, episodic-like memory, and neurobiological correlates in species like Clark’s nutcrackers and Western scrub jays. She collaborates with students on projects involving tool use, mirror self-recognition, and seasonal brain volume changes.

Student research projects include presentations at conferences such as the Society for Neuroscience and the International Comparative Cognition Conference. Her work has been supported by grants including Luther College's Summer Faculty/Student Collaborative Research Grants and external McElroy Awards.

Key neurobiological studies examine hippocampal structure, Substance P distribution, and neuron density in corvid brains, linking anatomical features to cognitive abilities.