Jeffrey J. Wenstrup

Jeffrey J. Wenstrup, Ph.D., is a Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). He leads the Neuroscience Graduate Program affiliated with Kent State University and previously served as Founding Chair of NEOMED’s Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (2008–2021) and Director of the Hearing Research Group. His research focuses on amygdala mechanisms underlying sound perception and emotional responses to social vocalizations, funded continuously by NIDCD for 30 years. Wenstrup has trained numerous graduate students and medical residents in neurosciences.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Physiology (Neuroscience minor), Indiana University School of Medicine, 1983
• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Saint Louis University, 1976

Research Interests: Wenstrup investigates how emotional brain centers (amygdala) interact with auditory systems to interpret social vocalizations. Key topics include amygdala circuitry integration of acoustic, sensory, and internal state data, and its link to communication disorders. His work bridges neurophysiology, behavior, and computational analysis.

Publications & Impact: Over 60 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on mouse vocalization processing, bat echolocation, and amygdala function. Recent work highlights neurochemical responses to emotional sounds and vocalization discrimination in mice.

Awards & Leadership: No explicit awards listed, but sustained NIH funding demonstrates research excellence. Leadership roles include department chairmanship and program directorships in neuroscience education.

Advising & Grants: Mentor to Ph.D. students in neuroscience, with grants focused on auditory-emotional interactions. Trained over 20 graduate students and medical educators.

Labs & Facilities: Active in NEOMED’s Hearing Research Group, leveraging advanced neurophysiological and behavioral testing facilities.