Biography
Dr. Kirschmann is a neuroscientist who enjoys finding the parallels between neuroscience and psychology. Her primary research interests are in understanding adolescence as a unique time period of resilience and vulnerability, and investigating the emergence and stability of emotional traits.
She completed three years of postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Mary Torregrossa in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, where she utilized rodent models to investigate the effects of adolescent cannabinoid use on later cognitive function. Dr. Kirschmann is also interested in ways to improve her own teaching practices in order to promote active learning in her students.
Teaching Philosophy:
My primary goals as an instructor are to give a broad overview of the field of study, highlighting key underlying principles that could extend across disciplines; to promote critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills; and to provide students with the resources necessary to pursue careers that arise from their undergraduate studies. As an educator, I strive to combine the principles of personal mentorship, research-driven analytical thinking, and passion of subject matter to shape the next generation of students.
Courses Taught:
- FYS 100 First-Year Seminar – Psychology in Pop Music: Health & Wellness Issues
- PSY 101 Foundations in Psychology
- PSY 311 Brain and Behavior
- PSY 313 Experimental Psychology I
- PSY 314 Experimental Psychology II
- PSY 360 Learning and Cognition
- PSY 418 History of Psychology
- PSY 419 Contemporary Research Issues
- PSYC 700 Biological Bases of Behavior
- PSYC 701 Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior
Research Interests:
- Adolescence
- Stress
- Cannabinoids
- Cognition
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Individual differences
Publications:
- Kriebel, D.K., Kirschmann, E.K., Cuddy-Casey, M., Madanat, S. (2019). Evaluation of undergraduate psychology capstone courses in Southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. In H. Scherschel and S. Baker (Eds.). Teaching Tips: A Compendium of Conference Presentations on Teaching, 2018-19. (pp.42-43). Retrieved from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology website: http://teachpsych.org/ebooks/teachingtips4.
- Kirschmann, E.K., Pollock, M.W., Nagarajan, V., Torregrossa, M.M. (2019). Development of working memory in the male adolescent rat. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 37, Article 100601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2018.11.003.
- Kirschmann, E.K., Pollock, M.W., Nagarajan, V., Torregrossa, M.M. (2017). Effects of adolescent cannabinoid self-administration in rats on addiction-related behaviors and working memory. Neuropsychopharmacology,42(5), 989-1000. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2016.178.
- Kirschmann, E.K., McCalley, D.M., Edwards, C.M., Torregrossa, M.M. (2017). Consequences of adolescent exposure to the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 on working memory in female rats. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 11, Article 137. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00137.
- Kirschmann, E.K.Z., Mauna, J.C., Willis, C.M., Foster, R.L., Chipman, A.M., Thiels, E. (2014). Appetitive cue-evoked ERK signaling in the nucleus accumbens requires NMDA and D1 dopamine receptor activation and regulates CREB phosphorylation. Learning and Memory,21(11), 606-615. https://doi.org/10.1101/lm.035113.114.
Presentations:
- Kriebel, D.*, Kirschmann, E.K.*, Cuddy-Casey, M. (2018). Evaluation of undergraduate psychology capstone courses in Southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. *Co-presented at Mid-Atlantic Teaching of Psychology conference, Prince Georges Community College, Largo, MD.
- Kirschmann, E.K. (2017). Effects of cannabinoid exposure during adolescence on memory function in rats. Presented at Lycoming College Biology Colloquium, Williamsport, PA.
- McCalley DM, Kirschmann EK, Torregrossa MM (2017) Long-term, cognitive consequences of adolescent cannabinoid self-administration in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Presented at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) Research Day, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh.
- Kirschmann E, Pollock M, Nagarajan V, Torregrossa MM (2016) Addiction-like and cognitive effects of adolescent cannabinoid self-administration in rats. Oral Presentation at 2016 College on Problems of Drug Dependence conference, Palm Springs, CA.
- Kirschmann EK, McCalley DM, Torregrossa MM (2016) Effects of age of initiation on cannabinoid self-administration and corresponding cognitive consequences in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Presented at Brain Day, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute.
- Kirschmann EK, Pollock MW, Nagarajan V, Torregrossa MM (2016) Effects of cannabinoid exposure during adolescence on cognitive performance and prefrontal GABAergic systems. Presented at 2016 National Institutes of Health Neuroscience Research Summit on Marijuana and Cannabinoids, Bethesda, MD.
- Kirschmann EK, Pollock M, Nagarajan V, Torregrossa MM (2015) Determining the ontogeny of working memory, and the effects of cannabinoid self-administration, in adolescent rats. Presented at 2015 Society for Neuroscience conference, Chicago, IL. Soc Neurosci 45: 783.09
- Kirschmann EK, Pollock M, Nagarajan V, Torregrossa MM (2015) Effects of adolescent cannabinoid self-administration on working memory. Presented at Data & Dine, University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association; and WPIC Research Day, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh.
- Kirschmann EK, Mauna JC, O’Connor C, Lu J, Donny EC, Sved AF, Thiels E (2014) Early life experience modulates the effects of unpredictable chronic mild stress during adolescence. Presented at 2014 Society for Neuroscience conference, Washington DC, Soc Neurosci 44: 80.02
- Kirschmann EK, Donny EC, Sved AF, Thiels E (2013) Unpredictable chronic mild stress in adolescent rats causes hyperactivity, decreased anxiety, and risk-seeking tendencies. Presented at 2013 Society for Neuroscience conference and satellite meeting of the Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society, San Diego, CA, Soc Neurosci 43: 292.15
- Zimmerman EK, Porch N, Parrish JN, Donny EC, Sved A, Thiels E (2012) Effects of unpredictable chronic mild stress in adolescent rats on emotional behavior and hippocampal CREB. Presented at 2012 Society for Neuroscience conference and satellite meeting of the Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society, New Orleans, LA, Soc Neurosci 42: 899.04
- Zimmerman EK, Mauna JC, Chipman AM, Foster RL, Peet E, Thiels E (2009) CREB phosphorylation in the nucleus accumbens: Mediation by ERK activation. Presented at 2009 Society for Neuroscience conference and satellite meeting of the Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society, Chicago, IL. Soc Neurosci 39: 683.6
- Zimmerman EK, Mauna JC, Shiflett MW, Chipman AM, Foster RL, Peet E, Thiels E (2008) CREB phosphorylation in the nucleus accumbens: Regulation by NMDA receptors and ERK activation. Presented at 2008 Society for Neuroscience conference and satellite meeting of the Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society, Washington, DC. Soc Neurosci 38: 687.5
- Zimmerman EK, Eslinger PJ, Grunfeld R, Vesek J, Meadowcroft MD, Wang J, Connor JR, Smith MB, Yang QX (2007) fMRI investigation of central olfactory deficit in early Alzheimer’s disease. Presented at 2007 American Academy of Neurology conference, Boston, MA and 2007 Association for Chemoreception Sciences conference, Sarasota, FL.
- Zimmerman E, Ruscio J (2005). Is intelligence related to choice of leisure activities? Presented at 2005 Eastern Psychological Association conference, Boston, MA.
- Zimmerman E, Eslinger PJ, Muniz KJ, Jackson H, Simmons Z, Barrett AM (2004) Emotional perceptual deficit in persons with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Presented at 2004 International Neuropsychological Society conference, Baltimore, MD.
Professional Memberships:
- Psi Chi (2003-present)
- Society for Neuroscience (2007-present)
- Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (2014-present)
- Eastern Psychological Association (2018-present)
- American Psychological Association Div. 1 – Society for General Psychology (2018-present)
- American Psychological Association Div. 2 – Society for the Teaching of Psychology (2018-present)
Awards:
- Co-PI, Institutional Mini-Grant, Immaculata University (2018)
- Faculty Development Funds recipient, Immaculata University (Summer term, 2018)
- Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic Annual Research Day Outstanding Poster Presentation Award, Postdoctoral Fellows and Doctoral Level Staff (2016)
- UPPDA Data and Dine Poster Presentation Award, University of Pittsburgh (2016)
- Bridgeside Research Forum Best Presentation Award, University of Pittsburgh (2015)
- T32 Training Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh (2011-2014)
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science Program for Excellence in Science (2008)
- Psi Chi Regional Poster Award, Eastern Psychological Association (2005)
- Earl W. Seibert Psychology Scholarship recipient, Elizabethtown College (2000, 2002, 2003)
Dissertation:
“Effects of Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress on Adolescent Rats”