Alice Powers

Dr. Alice Powers serves as a Research Professor in the Department of Psychology at Stony Brook University, specializing in Integrative Neuroscience. Her work investigates fundamental neural mechanisms through comparative studies of reptilian models, particularly turtles (Chrysemys picta).

Education

• Bryn Mawr College (1969)

Research Focus

Her laboratory examines evolutionary neuroscience through three interconnected pillars: (1) adult neurogenesis in learning and memory processes, (2) acetylcholine-mediated attention mechanisms, and (3) conserved neural pathways for motor control and startle responses. Current projects analyze how housing environments modulate neurogenesis and neurotransmitter function in turtle brains, providing cross-species insights into brain plasticity.

Publication Trends

Her 2016-2021 publications reveal a concentrated focus on reptilian neurobiology as an evolutionary bridge between invertebrate and mammalian systems. Key themes include environmental influences on neural plasticity, comparative neuroanatomy of memory systems, and neurotransmitter roles in attentional processes. This work establishes turtles as critical models for understanding conserved vertebrate brain mechanisms.

Research Infrastructure

• Integrative Neuroscience research theme affiliation
• Neurobehavioral laboratory with turtle model facilities
• Collaborations across evolutionary biology and cognitive neuroscience