Nancy Peterson

Nancy Peterson is a Professor of Chemistry at North Central College, where she has served on the faculty since 1994, advancing from Assistant Professor (1994-2000) to Associate Professor (2000-2006) and full Professor (2006-present). She teaches core courses including General Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Nutrition within the Chemistry Department.

Her academic foundation includes a B.A. in Biology and Chemistry from Concordia College (1986), an M.S. (1989) and Ph.D. (1992) in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota focusing on excitatory synaptic transmission and l-AP4 receptor characterization, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine (1992-1994) studying GABAA receptor sorting.

Professor Peterson's research specializes in natural toxins and pharmacology, with emphasis on neurotoxic mechanisms across diverse biological systems. Her work investigates toxin-receptor interactions in neuronal models, freshwater bryozoans, and amphibian secretions, revealing insights into neuroexcitatory pathways and ecological toxin functions.

Publication analysis shows consistent neurotoxicology focus, particularly how natural compounds like ODAP and bryozoan/salamander secretions disrupt neuronal signaling. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges biochemistry, ecology, and pharmacology to understand toxin impacts on synaptic transmission.

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