Gillian Barkell

Dr. Gillian Barkell is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at Mercer University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, specializing in behavioral neuroscience using rodent models to study alcohol and stress effects on behavior.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• M.A. in Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• B.S. in Psychology, Lycoming College

Her research investigates how prior alcohol dependence interacts with stress to influence anxiety and learning behaviors, with a focus on the neuroimmune system's role. Using behavioral tasks such as the open field test, elevated plus maze, T-maze, and operant responding, she explores brain-behavior mechanisms underlying co-morbidities of alcohol use disorder and anxiety/stress disorders.

Recent publications (2021-2022) reveal key interactions: chronic ethanol exacerbates stress-enhanced fear learning via hippocampal astrocytes, and caffeine increases alcohol self-administration independently of dopamine D2 receptors, highlighting neuroimmune and pharmacological pathways.

Scientific Awards:

• None mentioned in the provided text.

Dr. Barkell teaches biological psychology and research methods and statistics. No specific grants or graduate student advising details are provided. Her laboratory utilizes rodent models for behavioral neuroscience research, though specific lab name or team composition is not detailed.