Paul Jeffrey Bonthuis

Paul Jeffrey Bonthuis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Biosciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He is a core member of the Gene Networks in Neural & Developmental Plasticity Theme and actively contributes to the Neuroscience Program. His research integrates genetics, epigenetics, and neuroendocrinology to investigate social behavior regulation.

• 2024-2029: CRCNS NSF-NIH Grant recipient
• 2023-24: Faculty Recognition Award for Brain Awareness Outreach
• 2019: New Investigator Award, Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology

His laboratory employs CRISPR-engineered mouse models to study noncanonical genomic imprinting in monoaminergic neurons, focusing on how maternal and paternal gene expression differences impact social behaviors and stress resilience. Recent work demonstrates opposite-sex parental gene control over foraging behavior and brain-adrenal axis functions.

Scientific contributions include:

• Development of allelic-reporter mice for imprinting studies
• Characterization of Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) as a genetic hub for parental behavioral control
• Elucidation of tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) imprinting effects on social behavior

He teaches advanced courses in neuroscience and comparative biosciences, including Neuro542 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Neuroscience I and VM604 Veterinary Medicine Structure and Function III. The Bonthuis Lab has received recognition for outstanding student mentorship, with members winning prestigious awards like the Carl R. Woese Undergraduate Research Scholar Grant.