VICARIO LABORATORY
Busch - Psychology 332
(732) 445-2835
David S. Vicario, Ph.D.
Faculty
Webpage
To listen to a recent
presentation of laboratory results on song learning:
From
Birdsong to Baby Talk: Studies of Language Development
http://www.nyas.org/ebrief/miniEB.asp?ebriefID=615
Postdoctoral Associate(s)
Mimi Le Phan, Ph.D.
Graduate Student(s)
Kai Lu
Kathleen Yoder
Primoz Ravbar (CCNY)
Undergraduate(s)
Pratik Shukla
Jared Lewinsky
Research Assistant(s)
Manda Pierce
CURRENT TEACHING
Physiological Psychology
Fall 2007
01:830:313:06 M-W (4)
1:40-3:00pm PHARM 115
PhysioPsychsyllabusFall07A
Physiological
Psychology
Fall 2007
01:830:313:07 M-W (5)
3:20-4:40pm PHARM 115
PhysioPsychsyllabusFall07B
This course will
provide an introduction to the anatomical structure, electrophysiology
and neurochemistry of the brain. This
basic information will then be used to explore the neural mechanisms of
behavior, ranging from vision to movement to schizophrenia. Ultimately,
all our sensations, thoughts, feelings and actions reflect brain
processes. A better understanding of our own brains can thus help us to
understand ourselves.
Problems in Behavioral Neuroscience: Neuroethological
Approaches to Behavior Spring 2007
#16:830:646:02 Tues
9:50-12:30 Psychology 301
This seminar will focus on the neural mechanisms of
natural behavioral adaptations in a variety of animal species, using Behavioral Neurobiology by
Carew as a framework, supplemented by readings from the primary
literature. We will explore the general principles of neural
function that underlie the specialized sensory and motor capabilities
of individual species. Case examples will include behavioral
patterns that involve the integration of sensory information in order
to guide future action, such as navigation, foraging, communication,
and learning. Participants will be asked to review selected
topics and present their findings to the whole class.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PAST TEACHING
UNDERGRADUATE
Physiological Psychology
Fall
2005,2006
01:830:313:06 M-W (4)
1:40-3:00pm PHARM 115
Physiological Psychology
Fall
2005,2006
01:830:313:07 M-W (5)
3:20-4:40pm PHARM 115
Physiological Psychology
Spring 2005
01:830:313:04 Tu-Th (5)
2:50-4:10pm PHARM
111
Comparative Psychology
Fall 2004
01:830:315:01
Tu-Th (5) 2:50-4:10pm
SERC 118
Comparative Psychology
Fall 2003
830:315:01
M-W (5)
ARC 107
HONORS:Comparative Psychology Course Description
Spring 2003
#54244 830:315:H1 T-Th 1:10-2:30 PSY 301
How much of our behavior is determined
by innate mechanisms, how much is a reflexive response
to sensory events and how much can change with experience? The
formal study of animal behavior
provides a framework for addressing these questions in the context of
evolution. We will explore
behavioral adaptations in a range of animal species, with an emphasis
on natural behaviors whose
function and brain mechanisms are fairly well understood.
Textbook chapters will be supplemented
by readings from the primary literature. Case examples will include
behavioral patterns that involve
the integration of sensory information in order to guide
future action, such as navigation, foraging,
communication, and learning. Students will be asked to review
selected topics and present their
findings to the whole class. Student performance will be
evaluated on the basis of these presentations
and general class participation, as well as conventional
testing.
GRADUATE
Problems
in Behavioral Neuroscience: Neurobiological Mechanisms and
Birdsong Learning Fall 2004
16:830:646:03
Thurs
Psychology 301
This seminar will explore the brain mechanisms of
vocal learning in songbirds and the contribution that birdsong studies
can make to understanding fundamental neurobiological processes, such
as: the effect of experience on neural development; hormonal influences
on brain and behavior (sexual dimorphism); neurogenesis and behavior;
auditory pattern processing and memory for complex sounds; motor
pattern generation; basal ganglia and motor learning; gene expression
related to sensory processing and motor production.
Problems in Behavioral Neuroscience: Neuroethological
Approaches to Behavior Fall 2003
#16:830:646:02 Tues (4)
1:10-3:50 Psychology 301
This seminar will focus on the neural mechanisms of
natural behavioral adaptations in a variety of animal species, using Behavioral Neurobiology by
Carew as a framework, supplemented by readings from the primary
literature. We will explore the general principles of neural
function that underlie the specialized sensory and motor capabilities
of individual species. Case examples will include behavioral
patterns that involve the integration of sensory information in order
to guide future action, such as navigation, foraging, communication,
and learning. Participants will be asked to review selected
topics and present their findings to the whole class.