Jenna Ann McHenryمشاهده پروفایل
استادیار
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Neurobiology
- +۴ مورد دیگر
Jenna Ann McHenry is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Neurobiology at Duke University, holding a primary appointment in the School of Medicine's Department of Neurobiology. As a Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, she leads the McHenry Lab focused on neural circuit mechanisms underlying social and motivated behaviors. Her educational background includes: Ph.D., Florida State University (2013) B.S., Florida State University (2007) Dr. McHenry's research defines fixed and flexible features of molecularly defined neural circuits controlling social and nonsocial motivated behaviors, with emphasis on hypothalamic subnuclei and connections to midbrain dopaminergic reward systems. Her lab employs optogenetics, in vivo deep-brain calcium imaging, viral/genetic targeting, and advanced behavioral analysis to investigate circuit processing in disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Reproductive Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders, and Major Depression. Specializing in chronic deep-brain microscopy, her team tracks neural networks during awake behavioral states over time. Her publication record demonstrates consistent innovation in neural circuit analysis, with recurring themes of hormonal modulation of social reward circuits, state-dependent sensorimotor processing, and neural mechanisms of social homeostasis. Key contributions include identifying prepronociceptin neurons in arousal responses and elucidating how adolescent sleep shapes adult social preferences. Major recognitions include: NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2017) K99 Pathway to Independence Award (NIMH, 2017) Notable Nole Alumni Award (Florida State University, 2018) NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship (NIMH, 2013) Dr. McHenry actively mentors graduate students and postdocs, with current lab openings advertised. Her research is supported by substantial grants including the Neurobiology Training Program (2024-2029), Establishing Neural Circuits for Social Homeostasis (2022-2027), and Illuminating Socially-Modulated Homeostatic Control Circuits (2022-2025). She teaches Behavioral Neuroendocrinology and research practicums across psychology and neuroscience programs. The McHenry Lab operates at the forefront of systems neuroscience, utilizing GSRB II facilities for deep-brain imaging and circuit manipulation. As part of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, the lab collaborates extensively on translational research bridging basic neural mechanisms with clinical applications in mental health disorders.










