Tom Koehnle

Tom Koehnle, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Biology and Coordinator of the Neuroscience Major at Hiram College. He holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Ohio University and a Ph.D. in Animal Behavior from the University of California, Davis, with postdoctoral training in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh.

His research focuses on interoception—the process by which animals perceive internal bodily states—to understand how dietary quality, environmental risks, and developmental changes influence behavior. This spans behavioral studies in natural habitats and neurophysiological experiments in labs, emphasizing organism-wide integration of sensory information over intermediate timescales (hours to months). His work also explores links between interoceptive brain circuits and human psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Dr. Koehnle teaches courses in Animal Behavior and Human Anatomy & Physiology. His interdisciplinary interests include science fiction literature (e.g., Ellison, Lem, Borges), the history of technology, and statistical methodologies.

His publications span neuroscience, animal behavior, and methodological critiques, with notable contributions to understanding amino acid sensing mechanisms and neuronal signaling pathways. He actively engages in scholarly debates on research rigor, including critiques of pseudoreplication in comparative psychology.