Gregory Ball

Gregory Ball is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Vice President for Research at the University of Maryland, overseeing a joint research enterprise with $1.3 billion in annual research awards. He joined UMD in 2014 after serving as Vice Dean at Johns Hopkins University. His education includes a B.A. in psychology from Columbia University, a Ph.D. from Rutgers University, and postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University.

Dr. Ball's research examines hormone-brain-behavior interactions in avian species, focusing on neuroplasticity, seasonal reproduction, and vocal learning. Key areas include:

• Integration of photoperiodic and social cues in reproductive timing
• Neural sex differences in bird song learning and production
• Dopamine-aromatase interactions in reproductive behaviors

His recent publications (2023-2025) primarily explore avian neuroethology, with consistent themes in song production mechanisms, hormonal regulation of behavior, and seasonal neuroplasticity across species like canaries and zebra finches.

Honors include election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He directs an active lab investigating neuroendocrine mechanisms in birds.