Aaron Schirmer '09 PhD

Aaron Schirmer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Northeastern Illinois University and a graduate of the Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience program. Research in the Schirmer laboratory focuses on the study of circadian rhythms and the effect that these rhythms have on animal behavior and physiology. Ongoing work on mammalian circadian rhythms includes an investigation of: (1) The molecular genetic mechanisms involved in the regulation and expression of circadian rhythms in the brain and peripheral tissues, (2) the impact of environmental perturbations, such as photopollutions and social jet lag, on the circadian system, and (3) new technologies and techniques for studying circadian clocks in vivo and in vitro. In addition to work on mammalian clocks, the Schirmer lab has established collaborations to investigate the role of circadian rhythms in invertebrate model systems. Specifically, the laboratory is interested in studying the role of circadian clocks in the modulation of appetitive behavior in various praying mantis species and the implications of photopollution on Drosophila behavior.