Nancy Day

Assistant Professor of Psychology at Whitman College, Nancy Day holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota (2011) and a B.A. in Psychology & Biology from Whitman College (2005). Her research focuses on how biological and experiential factors influence behavior, particularly in speech and language acquisition, using songbirds as models. She investigates neural mechanisms in zebra finches and plain-tailed wrens, exploring genes like FOXP2 and social coordination in vocal learning. At Whitman, she teaches Introductory Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, and an interdisciplinary seminar on Brain and Language.

Research Highlights

• Studies FOXP2 gene’s role in vocal learning across lifespans in songbirds.
• Explores cooperative vocal behavior in plain-tailed wrens in Ecuador.
• Examines neural circuitry changes during song learning in zebra finches.

Teaching & Interests

• Course offerings bridge neuroscience and psychology, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches.
• Leads research lab investigating human-language analogs in animal behavior.