EDUCATION
Ph.D., Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, Indiana University (2016-Present)
B.Sc., Marine Biology, University of Miami (2013)
B.A., Creative Writing, University of Miami (2013)
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RESEARCH POSITIONS
Graduate Research Associate; Department of Biology, Indiana University (2016-Present). Mentor: Gregory Demas.
Graduate Research Assistant; Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University (2013-2016). Mentor: Fernando Galvez.
Undergraduate Research Assistant; Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami (2010-2013). Mentor: Martin Grosell.
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PUBLICATIONS
Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts
Munley, K. M., Liu, D., & Galvez, F. (2021). Increased polyamine levels and maintenance of γ-aminobutyric acid (Gaba) homeostasis in the gills is indicative of osmotic plasticity in killifish. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology – Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 257, 110969.
Munley, K. M., Trinidad, J.C., Deyoe, J. E., Adaniya, C. H., Nowakowski, A. M., Ren, C. C., Murphy, G. V., Reinhart, J. M., & Demas, G. E. (2021). Melatonin-dependent changes in neurosteroids are associated with increased aggression in a seasonally breeding rodent. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, e12940.
Munley, K. M., Deyoe, J. E., Ren, C. C., & Demas, G. E. (2020). Melatonin mediates seasonal transitions in aggressive behavior and circulating androgen profiles in male Siberian hamsters. Hormones and Behavior, 117, 104608.
Ren, C. C., Sylvia, K. E., Munley, K. M., Deyoe, J. E., Henderson, S. G., Vu, M. P., & Demas, G. E. (2020). Photoperiod modulates the gut microbiome and aggressive behavior in Siberian hamsters. Journal of Experimental Biology, 223, jeb212548.
Rendon, N. M., Petersen, C. L., Munley, K. M., Amez, A. C., Boyes, D. L., Kingsbury, M. A., & Demas, G. E. (2020). Seasonal patterns of melatonin alter aggressive phenotypes of female Siberian hamsters. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 32, e12894.
Munley, K. M., Rendon, N. M., & Demas, G. E. (2018). Neural androgen synthesis and aggression: Insights from a seasonally breeding rodent. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9, 136.
Heuer, R. M., Munley, K. M., Narsinghani, N., Wingar, J., Mackey, T. M., & Grosell, M. (2016). Changes to intestinal transport physiology and carbonate production at various CO2 levels in a marine teleost, the Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta). Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 89, 402-416.
Stickle, W. B., Lindeberg, M., Rice, S. D., Munley, K. M., & Reed, V. (2016). Seasonal changes in the thermal regime and gastropod tolerance from the rocky intertidal zone in southeast Alaska. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 482, 56-63.
Munley, K. M., Brix, K. V., Panlilio, J., Deforest, D. K., & Grosell, M. (2013). Growth inhibition in early life-stage tests predicts full life-cycle toxicity effects of lead in the freshwater pulmonate snail, Lymnaea stagnalis. Aquatic Toxicology, 128-129, 60-66.
Brix, K. V., Esbaugh, A. J., Munley, K. M., & Grosell, M. (2012). Investigations into the mechanism of lead toxicity to the freshwater pulmonate snail, Lymnaea stagnalis. Aquatic Toxicology, 106-107, 147-156.
Invited Book Chapters
Jalabert, C., Munley, K. M., Demas, G. E., & Soma, K. K. (2018). Aggressive behavior. In M. K. Skinner (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Reproduction (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 242-247). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Submitted, In Review, or In Revision
Munley, K. M., Dutta, S., Jasnow, A. M., and Demas, G. E. (in review). Adrenal MT1 melatonin receptor expression is linked with seasonal variation in social behavior in male Siberian hamsters. Hormones and Behavior.
Works in Progress
Munley, K. M., Wade, K., & Pradhan, D. S. (invited review; anticipated submission: Fall 2021). Uncovering the seasonal brain: liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as a biochemical approach to the study of comparative endocrinology. Hormones and Behavior.
Munley, K. M., Trinidad, J. C., & Demas, G. E. (anticipated submission: Fall 2021). The agonistic, but synergistic adrenal: neural and adrenal steroidogenic enzyme activity predict aggressive behavior in a seasonally breeding rodent. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
Thesis
Munley, K. M. (2013). Growth inhibition in early life-stage tests predicts full life-cycle toxicity effects of lead in the freshwater pulmonate snail, Lymnaea stagnalis. Senior Undergraduate Honors Thesis, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL. 7 pp.
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PRESENTATIONS
Conference Presentations and Published Abstracts
Munley, K. M., Trinidad, J. C., & Demas, G. E. (abstract submitted: August 2021). Adrenal and neural steroidogenic enzyme activity track seasonal changes in territorial aggression in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Phoenix, AZ.
Munley, K. M., Trinidad, J. C., & Demas, G. E. (2021). Seasonal and sex-specific regulation of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity and aggressive behavior in Siberian hamsters. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology; virtual presentation.
Munley, K. M., Dutta, S., Jasnow, A. M., & Demas, G. E. (2021). Adrenal melatonin 1a receptor (Mel1aR) signaling is linked with seasonal variation in social behavior in male Siberian hamsters. Animal Behavior Conference; virtual presentation.
Munley, K. M., Dutta, S., Jasnow, A. M., & Demas, G. E. (2021). Adrenal melatonin 1a receptor (Mel1aR) signaling regulates territorial aggression in male Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology; virtual presentation.
Munley, K. M., Dutta, S., Jasnow, A. M., & Demas, G. E. (2020). The role of peripheral melatonin signaling in regulating aggression in male Siberian hamsters. Animal Behavior Society; virtual presentation.
Munley, K. M., Dutta, S., Jasnow, A. M., & Demas, G. E. (2020). The potential role of peripheral melatonin 1a receptor (Mel1aR) signaling in regulating territorial aggression in male Siberian hamsters. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology; Atlanta, GA [cancelled due to COVID-19].
Munley, K. M., Trinidad, J. C., Deyoe, J. E., Adaniya, C. H., Nowakowski, A. M., Ren, C. C., Murphy, G. V., Reinhart, J. M., & Demas, G. E. (2020). Melatonin-induced changes in neurosteroid synthesis elevate aggressive behavior in a seasonally breeding rodent. Animal Behavior Conference; Bloomington, IN [cancelled due to COVID-19].
Munley, K. M., Deyoe, J. E., Adaniya, C. H., Nowakowski, A. M., Murphy, G. V., Reinhart, J. M., & Demas, G. E. (2019). Melatonin regulates seasonal variation in neurosteroid profiles and aggressive behavior in male Siberian hamsters. Neuroscience 2019; Chicago, IL.
Munley, K. M., Deyoe, J. E., Adaniya, C. H., Nowakowski, A. M., Murphy, G. V., Reinhart, J. M., & Demas, G. E. (2019). Melatonin facilitates seasonal changes in steroidogenesis and aggressive behavior in male Siberian hamsters. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology; Bloomington, IN.
Morrison, E. A., Munley, K. M., Shortridge, A. L., Canabal, D. N., & Demas, G. E. (2019). Fecal transplantation alters circulating cortisol profiles of male and female Siberian hamsters. Society for Behavior Neuroendocrinology; Bloomington, IN.
Morrison, E. A., Munley, K. M., Shortridge, A. L., Canabal, D. N., & Demas, G. E. (2019). Fecal transplantation alters circulating cortisol profiles of male and female Siberian hamsters. Purdue University Microbiome Sympoisum; West Lafayette, IN.
Munley, K. M., Deyoe, J. E., Ren, C. C., & Demas, G. E. (2019). Rising to the challenge: Melatonin modulates circulating androgens and aggression in a seasonally breeding rodent. Animal Behavior Conference; Bloomington, IN.
Munley, K. M., Deyoe, J. E., Ren, C. C., & Demas, G. E. (2019). Melatonin mediates seasonal transitions in circulating androgen profiles and aggression in male Siberian hamsters. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology; Tampa, FL.
Munley, K. M., Deyoe, J. E., Jalabert, C., Ma, C., Ren, C. C., Soma, K. K., & Demas, G. E. (2018). Effects of melatonin on seasonal shifts in androgen levels and aggression in male Siberian hamsters. International Congress of Neuroendocrinology; Toronto, Canada.
Munley, K. M., Deyoe, J. E., Jalabert, C., Ma, C., Ren, C. C., Soma, K. K., & Demas, G. E. (2018). Effects of melatonin on seasonal shifts in androgen levels and aggression in male Siberian hamsters. Animal Behavior Conference; Bloomington, IN.
Ren, C. C., Deyoe, J. E., Sylvia, K. E., Munley, K. M., & Demas, G. E. (2018). Photoperiod modulates gut microbiome and behavior in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Animal Behavior Conference; Bloomington, IN.
Munley, K. M., Whitehead, A., Liu, D., & Galvez, F. (2017). Upregulation of polyamine biosynthesis and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production are indicative of osmotic plasticity in killifish (Fundulus sp.). Animal Behavior Conference; Bloomington, IN.
Munley, K. M., Liu, D., & Galvez, F. (2014). The roles of glutamate and putrescine in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis in Fundulus heteroclitus during osmotic stress. American Physiological Society Intersociety Meeting: Comparative Approaches to Grand Challenges in Physiology; San Diego, CA.
Heuer, R. M., Munley, K. M., Narsinghani, N., Wingar, J., Mackey, T., & Grosell, M. (2014). Changes to intestinal transport physiology at varying levels of hypercapnia in the Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta). American Physiological Society Intersociety Meeting: Comparative Approaches to Grand Challenges in Physiology; San Diego, CA.
Heuer, R. M., Munley, K. M., Narsinghani, N., & Grosell, M. (2014). Influence of hypercapnia on intestinal transport and calcium carbonate formation in the Gulf toadfish. International Congress on the Biology of Fish; Edinburgh, Scotland.
Munley, K. M. (2013). Growth inhibition in early life-stage tests predicts full life-cycle toxicity effects of lead in the freshwater pulmonate snail, Lymnaea stagnalis. Atlantic Coast Conference Meeting of the Minds; Winston Salem, NC.
Invited Presentations
Munley, K. M. (2021). Fighting around the clock: unwinding the role of melatonin in regulating aggressive behavior in a seasonally breeding rodent. Current Topics in Neurobiology Seminar, University of Oklahoma Cellular & Behavioral Neurobiology Graduate Program, virtual presentation.
Munley, K. M., Deyoe, J. E., Adaniya, C. H., Nowakowski, A. M., Ren, C. C., Murphy, G. V., Reinhart, J. M., & Demas, G. E. (2020). Melatonin modulates seasonal changes in neurosteroid levels and territorial aggression in male Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Session: Division of Comparative Endocrinology Best Student Paper – Aubrey Gorbman Award. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Austin, TX.
Munley, K. M. (2019). Aggression and the seasonal clock: unwinding the actions of melatonin on aggressive behavior in a seasonally breeding rodent. Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior Brown Bag Seminar Series, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
Other Presentations
Funkhouser, L. K., Deckard, T. E., Proffitt, M. R., Demas, G. E., & Munley, K. M. (2021). Seasonal and sex-specific regulation of neural arginine vasopressin (AVP) and aggressive behavior in Siberian hamsters. Indiana University Science, Technology, and Research Scholars (STARS) Spring Research Symposium; Bloomington, IN.
Munley, K. M., Trinidad, J. C., & Demas, G. E. (2021). Seasonal and sex-specific regulation of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity and aggressive behavior in Siberian hamsters. Center for Behavioral Neuroscience Brains & Behavior Retreat; virtual conference.
Ren, C. C., Deyoe, J. E., Sylvia, K. E., Munley, K. M., & Demas, G. E. (2018). Photoperiod modulates gut microbiome and behavior in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Indiana University Hutton Honors College Symposium; Bloomington, IN.
Munley, K. M., Liu, D., & Galvez, F. (2015). From salinity to behavior: the effect of osmotic stress on GABA production in the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus. Louisiana Environmental Education Symposium; Baton Rouge, LA.
Munley, K. M., Liu, D., & Galvez, F. (2014). The roles of glutamate and putrescine in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis in Fundulus heteroclitus during osmotic stress. Louisiana State University BioGrads Symposium; Baton Rouge, LA.
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RESEARCH GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
College of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Research Fellowship, Indiana University (2021, $20,000)
Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) Pilot Grant for Research Use of Core Facilities (co-PI with Dr. Gregory Demas; 2020, $10,000)
Animal Behavior Society Student Research Grant (2020, $2,000)
Louise Constable Hoover Fellowship; Department of Biology, Indiana University (2020, $2,000)
Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior Predoctoral Fellowship, Indiana University (2020, $15,383)
Indiana University Graduate & Professional Student Government Research Award (2019, $1,000)
Indiana Academy of Science Senior Research Grant (2019, $3,000)
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Grant-in-Aid of Research (2019, $1,000)
NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Institutional (T32) Predoctoral Fellowship: “Common Themes in Reproductive Diversity“; Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University (2018-2020; $48,192)
Research Recruitment Fellowship; Department of Biology, Indiana University (2016, $12,500)
Louisiana Environmental Education Commission University Grant, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (2014, $1,200)
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HONORS, AWARDS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Nominee, Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Scholar Award (2021)
Nominee, Aubrey Gorbman Award for Best Student Oral Presentation; Division of Comparative Endocrinology, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (2020)
Charlotte Magnum Student Support Program Award; Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (2020)
Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior Travel Grant, Indiana University (2018 and 2019; $1,250)
Provost’s Travel Award for Women in Science, Indiana University (2018 and 2019; $1,200)
Trainee Travel Award, International Neuroendocrine Federation (2018, $485)
College of Arts and Sciences Fall Travel Award, Indiana University (2018, $200)
Enrichment Travel Award; Department of Biology, Indiana University (2018, $250)
Travel Grant; Graduate Student Association, Louisiana State University (2014, $200)
Graduated cum laude with departmental honors distinction in Marine and Atmospheric Science Program (B.S.) and summa cum laude in Creative Writing Program (B.A.), University of Miami (2013)
University Scholarship, University of Miami (2009-2013, $24,000/yr.)
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TEACHING AND MENTORING EXPERIENCE
Associate Instructor; Walter Center for Career Achievement, Indiana University (Arts & Sciences Internship course, 2021)
Graduate Mentor, Jim Holland Summer Science Research Program (SSRP); Department of Biology, Indiana University (2019)
Associate Instructor; Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University (Research and Professional Ethics for the Bio-Behavioral Sciences course, 2018)
Mentor, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program in Animal Behavior; Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University (2018)
Mentor, Demas Lab; Department of Biology, Indiana University (2017-Present)
Assistant Instructor; Department of Biology, Indiana University (Integrative Human Physiology and Biology Laboratory courses, 2016-2017)
Guest Instructor; Department of Biology, University of Washington (Survey of Physiology course, 2015)
Content Tutor; Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes, Louisiana State University (2014)
Mentor, Galvez Lab; Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University (2013-2016)
Teaching Assistant; Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University (Vertebrate Physiology Laboratory and Marine Communities Laboratory courses, 2013-2016)
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OUTREACH
Volunteer, Skype a Scientist (2019-Present)
Graduate Mentor, Jim Holland Summer Science Research Program; Department of Biology, Indiana University (2019)
Instructor, Foundations in Science and Mathematics Program; College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University (Zoology (Animal Diversity) course; 2017 and 2018)
Abstract Judge, Outstanding Junior Scientist Competition; Indiana Junior Academy of Science (2017, 2018, and 2019)
Volunteer, Science Fest; College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University (2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020)
Recruitment Chair, Associate Editor, Copy Editor, and Writer; ScIU Blog, Indiana University (2017-Present)
Guest Speaker; STEM Research Bootcamp, Indiana University (2017)
Graduate Mentor, EnvironMentors Program; College of the Coast & Environment, Louisiana State University (2014-2016)
Graduate Mentor, Biology Intensive Orientation for Students (BIOS); College of Science, Louisiana State University (2014)
Volunteer, Ocean Commotion; Louisiana Sea Grant (2014)
Instructor, High School Careers in Medicine Workshop; Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami (2013)
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PROFESSIONAL ACADEMIC SERVICE AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Ad Hoc Reviewer – Brain, Behavior, and Immunity; Hormones and Behavior; Journal of Experimental Zoology, Part A; Journal of Mammalogy; Physiology & Behavior; Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
Member, Diversity Advocacy Committee and COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee; Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG), Indiana University (2020-Present)
Graduate Student Representative, Department of Biology; Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG), Indiana University (2019-Present)
Social Media Coordinator and Founding Member, Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior Student Organization at Indiana University (2019-Present)
Undergraduate Poster Judge, Animal Behavior Conference (2019 and 2021)
Session Chair, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting – “Hormones & Behavior II: Everything but the Birds” (2019)
Session Moderator, Animal Behavior Conference – “Physiological Effects of Stress (2019)
Hospitality Committee Chair, Animal Behavior Conference (2018-Present)
Session Moderator, Animal Behavior Conference – “Sex Differences in the Brain and Behavior” (2018)
Graduate Recruitment Weekend planning committee, Indiana University (2017-2020)
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MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (SBN); Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB); Society for Neuroscience (SfN); Animal Behavior Society (ABS); Indiana Academy of Science.
