John P. Christianson
Department of Psychology — Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue — McGuinn 523
Chestnut Hill — Massachusetts — 02467-3807
Phone: 617-552-3970 — Fax: 617-552-0523 — E-Mail: j.christianson@bc.edu
https://www2.bc.edu/john-christianson-2/Site/home.html
Education
Ph.D., Physiological Psychology
University of New Hampshire 2006
Dissertation Title: Serotonergic Involvement in the Behavioral Depression Produced by Intermittent Swim
Stress. (Chair: Robert C. Drugan)
Cognate in College Teaching
University of New Hampshire 2006
M.A., Physiological Psychology
University of New Hampshire 2003
Thesis: Direct Comparison of Intermittent Shock and Intermittent Cold-Water Swim Stress on Behavioral,
Endocrine, and Immune Measures (Chair: Robert C. Drugan)
B.A., Psychology
Susquehanna University
2001
Independent Research Thesis: Low Body Temperature and Long-Trace Conditioned Flavor-Aversion in Rat
(Advisor: James R. Misanin)
Additional Training:
Ion Channel Physiology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, June 2011
Responsible Conduct of Research, University of Colorado, December 2011
Professional Appointments
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Boston College
2013-present
Research Associate
University of Colorado
2006-2013
Graduate Instructor, Psychology Department
University of New Hampshire
2003-2006
Grants and Awards
Ongoing:
“Safety Learning and Plasticity in the Insular Cortex”
K99/R00 MH093412-01, National Institutes of Health-NIMH (4/1/2011 - 3/31/2016) $890,000 Direct costs
Role – PI
“Dissecting the contribution of insular cortex to safety learning using temporally-precise optogenetic tools.”
2012 NARSAD Young Investigator Award. (1/15/2013 – 1-14/2015) $60,000 Direct Costs.
Role – PI
Under Revision:
“Insular Cortex Oxytocin Receptors and Social Affect” 5-years, $1.75M Direct costs
R01 Submitted June 4, 2015, A0 Reviewed Oct 2015 Impact Score 45, Percentile 39th
Role – PI. (Co-I Alexa Veenema, Boston College)
Christianson CV
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Updated December 10, 2015
Submitted:
“An Electronically Shielded, High Spatial Resolution Optrode Array”
Phase 1 Submission W. M. Keck Foundation Science & Engineering Research Grant.
Multiple PIs: Michael Naughton, BC-Physics; John Christianson, BC-Psychology; Thomas Chiles, BC-Biology
“Stressor controllability, resilience and prefrontal cortex endocannabinoids” $275,000 Direct costs
NIMH R21
Role – PI, (Co-I, Matthew Hill, University of Calgaray)
Submitted October 16, 2015
Whitehall Foundation Grant in Aid. Letter of Intent Submitted Oct, 2015
Submitted-Not Funded:
“Insular Cortex, Oxytocin and Social Affect”
NIMH BRAINS R01
Role – PI
Submitted October 2014, Reviewed February 2015, Impact Score: 33, Finalist-Invited for NIMH director
presentation.
“Nanocoaxial optrode array for scalable and dynamic control of optogenetic systems”
NINDS R21
Multiple PIs: Michael Naughton, BC-Physics; John Christianson, BC-Psychology; Thomas Chiles, BC-Biology
Submitted Nov. 2013, AO Reviewed 4/24/14: Impact Score 44, Percentile 39.
“Nanocoaxial optrode array for volumetric control of optogenetic systems”
NIH B.R.A.I.N. Initiative U01. Submitted 6/5/14
Multiple PIs: Naughton, BC-Physics; Christianson, BC-Psychology; Chiles, BC-Biology
“First-generation nanocoaxial optrode arrays”, 2-years, $300,000 Direct Costs
NINDS R21 response to BRIAN Initiative RFA EY-15-001
Multiple PIs: Michael Naughton, BC-Physics; John Christianson, BC-Psychology; Co-I: Thomas Chiles, BCBiology, Timothy Connolly, BC-Biology; Juan Varela, BC-Psychology
Submitted April16, 2015
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowships in Neuroscience, Submitted 9/15/2015, PI
“Emotion recognition and the insular cortex oxytocin receptor”, Kinship Foundation, Submitted 9/2015, PI
Completed:
“Stressor controllability and anxiety: role of serotonin and the medial prefrontal cortex”
FMH082453A, National Institutes of Health (8/1/2008 – 3/31/2011) $ $137,000 Direct Costs.
Role – PI (sponsor, Steven Maier)
Awards:
2012
2012
2011
2004
2003
2001
2000
2000
NARSAD Young Investigator Award
Travel Award – 18th Annual Symposium on Emotion, HealthEmotions Research Institute.
Travel Award – American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Graduate Student Research Award, University of New Hampshire
Summer TA Fellowship, Graduate School, University of New Hampshire
Senior Psychology Award, Susquehanna University
Phillip C. Bosart Memorial Psychology Scholarship, Susquehanna University
Psi Chi
Christianson CV
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Updated December 10, 2015
Peer Reviewed Publications (* indicates BC undergrad **graduate)
1. Amat, J., Dolzani, S.D., Tilden, S., Christianson, J. P., Kubala, K.H., Bartholomay, K., Sperr, K.,
Ciancio, N., Watlkins, L.R., Maier, S.F. (in press) Ketamine produces an enduring blockade of
neurochemical and behavioral effects of uncontrollable stress. The Journal of Neuroscience
2. Foilb, A.R.**, Christianson, J.P. (2016) Serotonin 2C receptor antagonist improves fear discrimination
and safety signal recall. Progress in Neuro-pharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 65(4): 78-84.
3. Chen, V.M.*, Foilb, A.R.**, Christianson, J.P. (2016) Inactivation of ventral hippocampus interfered with
cued-fear acquisition but did not influence later recall or discrimination. Behavioural Brain Research,
296(1): 249-253.
4. Christianson, J.P., Flyer, J.G., Drugan, R.C., Amat, J., Foilb, A**., Watkins, L.R., & Maier, S.F. (2014)
Learned stressor resistance requires extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling in the prelimbic cortex.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 8: 345.
5. Amat, J., Christianson, J.P. Aleksejev, R.M., Kim, J., Richeson, K.R., Watkins, L.R., & Maier, S.F. (2014)
Control over a stressor involves the posterior dorsal striatum and the act/outcome circuit. European
Journal of Neuroscience, 40(2): 2352-8.
6. Christianson, J. P. & Greenwood, B. N. (2014) Stress-protective neural circuits: not all roads lead
through the medial prefrontal cortex. Stress, 17(1): 1-12.
7. Thompson, RS. Christianson, JP. Maslanik, TM. Greenwood, B.N. Maier, S. Fleshner, M. (2013) Effects
of stressor controllability on diurnal physiological rhythms. Physiology & Behavior, 112-113: 32-39.
8. Drugan, R.C., Christianson, J.P., Warner, T. & Kent, S. (2013) Resilience in shock and swim stress
models of depression. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 7: 14.
9. Christianson, J.P. Drugan, R.C., Flyer, J.G., Watkins, L.R., & Maier, S.F. (2013) Anxiogenic effects of an
acute swim are sensitive to stress history. Progress in Neuropharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 44:
17-22.
10. Christianson, J. P., Jovanovic, T., Kazama, A., Fernando, A., Ostroff, L., Sanga, S. (2012). Inhibition of
fear by learned safety signals: minisymposium review. Journal of Neuroscience, 32(41): 14118-14124.
11. Helmreich, D. L., Tylee, D., Christianson, J. P., Kubala, K. H., Govindarajan, S. T., O’Neill, B., Becoats,
K., Watkins, LR., Maier, SF. (2012) Active behavioral coping alters the behavioral but not the endocrine
response to stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 37(12): 1941-8.
12. Varela, J., Wang, J., Christianson, J. P., Maier, S. F., & Cooper, D. C. (2012) Control over stress, but not
stress per se increases prefrontal cortical pyramidal neuron excitability. Journal of Neuroscience, 32(37):
12848-53.
13. Kubala, K. H., Christianson, J. P., Kaufman, R., Watkins, L. R., Maier, S. F. (2012) Controllable stress
exposure during adolescence confers short- and long-term resilience: role of medial prefrontal cortex and
dorsal raphé nucleus. Behavioral Brain Research, 234(2): 278–284.
14. Greenwood, B.N., Loughridge, A.B., Christianson, J. P., Sadaoui, N., Fleshner, M. (2012) The protective
effects of voluntary exercise against the behavioral consequences of uncontrollable stress persist following
cessation of exercise. Behavioural Brain Research, 233(2): 314-21.
15. Strong, P. V., Christianson, J. P., Laughridge, A. B., Maier, S. F., Fleshner, M., & Greenwood, B. N.
(2011) 5-hydroxytrptamine 2C receptors in the dorsal striatum mediate stress-induced interference with
negatively-reinforced instrumental learning. Neuroscience, 197: 132-44.
16. Christianson, J.P., Jennings, J.H., Ragole, T. Flyer, J., Benison, A., Barth, D., Watkins, L.R., Maier, S.F.
(2011) Safety signals mitigate the consequences of uncontrollable stress via a circuit involving the sensory
insular cortex and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Biological Psychiatry, 70(5): 458-64.
17. Christianson, J. P., Ragole, T., Amat, J., Greenwood, B.N., Strong, P.V., Fleshner, M., Paul, E.D.,
Watkins, L.R., & Maier, S. F., (2010) 5-hydroxytryptamine 2C receptors in the basolateral amygdala are
involved in the expression of anxiety after uncontrollable traumatic stress. Biological Psychiatry, 67(4):
339-45.
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18. Christianson, J. P., Thompson, B., Watkins, L. R., & Maier, S. F. (2009) Medial prefrontal cortical
activation modulates the impact of controllable and uncontrollable stressor exposure on a social
exploration test of anxiety. Stress 12(5): 445-450.
19. Drugan, R. C., Christianson, J. P., Stine, W.W., Soucy, D. P. (2009) Swim stress-induced ultrasonic
vocalizations forecast resilience in rats. Behavioural Brain Research 202, 142-145.
20. Christianson, J. P., Benison, A.M., Jennings, J.H., Sandsmark, E.K., Amat, J., Kaufman, R.D.,
Barratta, M.V., Paul., E.D., Campeau, S., Watkins, L.R., Barth D.S., & Maier, S.F. (2008) The sensory
insular cortex mediates the stress-buffering effects of safety signals but not behavioral control. Journal of
Neuroscience, 28(50), 13703-13711.
21. Christianson, J. P., Paul, E., Irani, M, Thompson, B. M., Kubala, K. H., Yirmiha, R., Watkins, L. R., &
Maier, S. F. (2008) Role of prior stressor controllability and the dorsal raphe nucleus in sucrose
preference and social exploration. Behavioural Brain Research, 193, 87-93.
22. Christianson, J. P., Rabbett, S., Lyckland, J., & Drugan, R. C. (2008) The immobility produced by
intermittent swim stress is not mediated by serotonin. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, & Behavior, 89, 412423.
23. Baratta, M., Christianson, J. P., Gamez, D. Zarza, C., Amat, J., Watkins, L. R., & Maier, S. F. (2007)
Controllable versus uncontrollable stressors bi-directionally modulate conditioned but not innate fear.
Neuroscience, 146(4), 1495-503
24. Drugan, R. C., Weidholtz, L., Holt, A., Kent, S., & Christianson, J. P. (2007) Environmental and
Immune Stressors Enhance Alcohol Induced Motor Ataxia in Rat. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, &
Behavior, 86(1), 125-31.
25. Levay, E. A., Govic, A., Hazi, A., Flannery, G., Drugan, R. D., Christianson, J. P., & Kent, S. (2006)
Endocrine and immunological correlates of behaviorally identified swim stress resilient and vulnerable
rats. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 20, 488-497.
26. Drugan, R. C., Eren, S., Hazi, A., Silva, J., Christianson, J. P., & Kent, S. (2005) Impact of water
temperature and stressor controllability on swim stress-induced changes in body temperature, serum
corticosterone, and immobility in the rat. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, & Behavior, 82(2), 397-403.
27. Christianson, J. P., & Drugan, R. C. (2005) Intermittent cold water swim stress increases immobility
and interferes with escape performance in rat. Behavioural Brain Research, 165(1), 58-62.
28. Christianson, J. P., Anderson, M. J., Misanin, J. R., & Hinderliter, C. F. (2005) Hypothermia prolongs
the interval at which taste aversions can be formed when using a compound CS. Perceptual and Motor
Skills, 100, 913-919.
29. Misanin, J. R., Christianson, J. P., Anderson, M. J., Giovani, L. M., & Hinderliter, C. F., (2004) KetasetRompun extends the effective interstimulus interval in long-trace taste-aversion conditioning in rats.
Behavioral Processes, 65(2),111-21.
30. Misanin, J. R., Anderson, M. J., Christianson, J. P., Collins, M. M., Goodhart, M. G., Rushanan, S., &
Hinderliter, C. F. (2002) Low body temperature, time dilation, and long-trace conditioned flavor-aversion
in rats. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 78(1), 167-177.
Works in Progress
1. Foilb, A., Flyer-Adams, J.G., Maier, S.F., & Christianson, J.P. Conditioned inhibition of fear requires
NMDA receptor in the posterior insular cortex. (Submitted to The Journal of Neuroscience)
2. Grace, P.M., Loram, L.C., Strand, K.A., Christianson, J.P., Flyer-Adams, J.G., Penzkover, K.R.,
Forsayeth, J.R., van Dam, A., Mahoney, M.J., Maier, S.F., Chavez, R.A., Watkins, L.R. Behavioral
assessment of neuropathic pain, fatigue, and anxiety in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
(EAE) and attenuation by interleukin-10 gene therapy. Brain, Behavior and Immunity (Minor Revisions
Requested)
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3. Varela, J.A., Rogers, M.M., Pierce, A.F. & Christianson, J.P. Insular cortex oxytocin receptors mediate
prosocial and avoidant behaviors (Submitted to Biological Psychiatry).
4. Baratta, M.V., Foilb, A.R., Christianson, J.P. Breaking the cycle of stressor induced anxiety at the 5HT2C receptor. Review in preparation for submission to Biological Psychiatry
Book Chapters
1. Maier, S. F., Amat, J., Baratta, M. V., Bland, S. T., Christianson, J. P., Thompson, B., Rozeske, R. R.,
& Watkins, L. R. (2009). The role of the medial prefrontal cortex in mediating resistance and vulnerability
to the impact of adverse events. In C. M. Pariente, R. M. Nesse, D. Nutt, & L. Wolpert (Eds.),
Understanding depression: a translational approach, Oxford University Press, 157-171.
Conference Proceedings & Published Abstracts
1. Veenema, A.H., Bredewold, R., Varela, J.A., & Christianson, J.P. Vasopressin modulates lateral
septum neuronal activity in sex-specific ways in juvenile rats. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2015)
2. Foilb, A.R.*, & Christianson, J.P. Conditioned inhibition of fear requires posterior insular cortex for
learning, but not recall. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2015)
3. Rogers, M. M.*, Pierce, A.F.*, Christianson, J.P. Oxytocin receptors in the insular cortex mediate
social affective behavior in rat. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2015) *Also presented at the 2015 Center for
Neuroendocrine Studies at UMASS Amherst Annual meeting.
4. Naughton, J.R.*, Varela, J.A., Lundberg, J.M.*, Connolly, T.J., Burns, M.J., Chiles, T.C., Christianson,
J.P., Naughton, M.J. A neuroelectronic device based on nanocoax arrays. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. &
Neuroengineering Satellite Meeting (2015)
5. Varela, J.A., Christianson, J.P. Effects of oxytocin on intrinsic properties of pyramidal neurons in rat
insular cortex. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2014)
6. Foilb, A.R.*, Flyer-Adams, J.G., Maier, S.F., Christianson, J.P. A+/B- fear discrimination and
conditioned inhibition of freezing require NMDA receptor in posterior insular cortex. Proc. Soc. Neurosci.
(2014)
7. Flyer, J. G., Christianson, J.P., Watkins, L.R., Maier, S.F. The long-lasting protective effects of
controllable stress require ERK in the medial prefrontal cortex. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2013)
8. Daut, R.A., Christianson, J.P., Flyer, J.G., Watkins, L.R., Maier, S.F. Controllable versus uncontrollable
aversive stimuli differentially trigger ERK signaling in the dorsal striatum. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2013)
9. Kubala, K.H., Christianson, J.P., Amat, J., Cooper, D.C., Watkins, L.R., Maier, S.F. Ketamine prevents
neurochemical and behavioral consequences of uncontrollable stress. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2013)
10. Flyer, J. G., Christianson, J.P., Watkins, L.R., Maier, S.F. The controllability of a stressor determines
phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinases in prefrontal cortex, striatum and amygdala. 2012
Front Range Neuroscience Group Annual Meeting, Fort Collins, CO.
11. Varela, J.A., Wang, J., Christianson, J.P., Maier, S. F., Cooper, D. Control over stress, but not stress
per se increases prefrontal cortical pyramidal neuron excitability. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2012)
12. Grace, P.M., Loram, L. C., Strand, K. C., Christianson, J. P., Flyer, J. G., Penzkover, K. R., Zhang, Y.,
Maier, S. F., Mahoney, M. J., Watkins, L. R. Il-10 gene therapy attenuates multiple sclerosis-like
symptoms in a rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Proc. Soc. Neurosci.
(2012)
13. Christianson, J. P., Flyer, J. G. N., Watkins, L. R., Maier, S. F. Safety learning requires synaptic
plasticity in the posterior insular cortex. American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Annual Meeting
(2011)**Also presented at 2012 HealthEmotions Research Conference
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14. Christianson, J. P., Watkins, L. R., Maier, S. F. Dissociating behavioral control and safety signals.
Presented at Gordon Research Conference: Amygdala in Health & Disease. (2011)
15. Christianson, J. P., Drugan, R. C., Amat, J., Watkins, L. R., Maier, S. F. The long-lasting stressprotective effects of controllable stress depend on plasticity in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex.
Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2011)
16. Aleksejev, R., Amat, J. Christianson, J. P., Watkins, L. R., & Maier, S. F. NMDA receptor function in
the posterior dorsal medial striatum is required to prevent an immediate anxiogenic effect of escapable
controllable tail shock and to protect from the sequelae a later inescapable uncontrollable stress. Proc.
Soc. Neurosci (2011)
17. Christianson, J. P., Drugan, R. C., Amat, J., Maier, S. F. Dissociating behavioral control from safety
signals. Poster presented at the 2011 Gordon Research Conference: Amygdala in Health and Disease.
18. Amat, J., Christianson, J.P., Aleksejev, R., Cooper, D. Watkins, L.R. & Maier, S.F. Building Stress
Resilience. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2010)
19. Ragole, T., Christianson, J. P., Flyer, J., Watkins, L.R., & Maier, S.F. Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
is required for uncontrollable stress induced anxiety. Proc. Soc. Neurosi. (2010)
20. *Thompson, R.S., Christianson, J.P, Maslanik, T., Maier, S.F., Fleshner, M. Effects of stressor
controllability on cardiovascular responses. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. (2010) * Also presented at the
Neurobiology of Stress Workshop, Boulder, CO June 2010.
21. Kubala, K.H., Christianson, J.P., Watkins, L.R., & Maier, S.F. Stressor controllability during
adolescence blocks the behavioral and dorsal raphe nucleus activating effects of adult uncontrollable
stress. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. 2010
22. *Christianson, J. P., Jennings, J.H., Benison, A., Barth, D., Watkins, L.R., Maier, S.F. Safety signals
mitigate the consequences of uncontrollable stress via a circuit involving the sensory insular cortex.
Federation of European Neurosciences Bi-Annual Meeting. (2010) *Also presented at the Neurobiology
of Stress Workshop, Boulder, CO June 2010
23. *Strong, P.V., Loughridge, A.B., Christianson, J.P., Ragole, T., Amat, J., Maier, S.F., Fleshner, M.,
Greenwood, B.N. The expression of instrumental learning deficits produced by uncontrollable stress are
mediated by 5-HT2C receptors in the dorsal striatum. Proc. Soc. Neurosci. 2010 *Also presented at the
Neurobiology of Stress Workshop, Boulder, CO June 2010
24. *Loughridge, A.B., Greenwood, B.N., Strong, P.V., Christianson, J.P., Ragole, T., Maier, S.F.,
Fleshner, M. The role of the medial prefrontal cortex in the protective effect of exercise against learned
helplessness. Proc. Soc. Neurosi. 2010. * Also presented at the Neurobiology of Stress Workshop,
Boulder, CO June 2010
25. Ragole, T., Christianson, J. P., Strong, P.V., Greenwood, B.N., Amat, J., Fleshner, M.R., Watkins,
L.R., & Maier, S.F. Stress-induced anxiety involves serotonin release in the basolateral amygdala and the
5-HT2C receptor. Proc Soc. Neurosci. (2009)
26. Jennings, J.H., Christianson, J. P., Benison, A., Barth, D., Watkins, L.R., Maier, S.F. Safety signals
mitigate the consequences of uncontrollable stress via a circuit involving the sensory insular cortex. Proc
Soc. Neurosci. (2009)
27. Christianson, J. P., Kubala, K.H., Nadler, D., Watkins, L.R., Maier, S.F. Chewing during inescapable
stress leads to resilience. Proc Soc. Neurosci. (2009)
28. Bernstein-Hanley, I., Greenwood, B. N., Strong, P. V., Christianson, J. P., & Fleshner, M. Wheel
running prevents the decrease in social exploration produced by exposure to uncontrollable stress. Proc
Soc. Neurosci. (2008)
29. Ragole, T., Christianson, J. P., Amat, J., Paul, E.D., Watkins, L. R., & Maier, S. F. Uncontrollable
stress reduces social exploration via sensitization of the dorsal raphe nucleus. Proc Soc. Neurosi. (2008)
30. Drugan, R. C., Soucy, D. P., & Christianson, J. P. Preliminary evidence that ultrasonic vocalizations
during intermittent swim stress forecasts stress resilience in rats. Proc Soc. Neurosci. (2008).
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31. Kubala, K. H., Christianson, J. P., Watkins, L. R., & Maier, S. F. Short- and long-term consequences
of prepubertal controllable and uncontrollable stress on anxiety behavior. Proc Soc. Neurosci. (2008).
32. Thompson, B. M., Christianson, J. P., Watkins, L. R., & Maier, S. F. Medial prefrontal cortical
inactivation eliminates the stress-resistance produced by behavioral control as assessed in a social
exploration test of anxiety. Proc Soc. Neurosci (2008).
33. Christianson, J.P., Paul, E.D., Irani, M., Yirmiya, R., Watkins, L.R., & Maier, S.F. Social exploration but
not sucrose preference is sensitive to stressor controllability and is mediated by the Dorsal Raphé
Nucleus. Proc Soc. Neurosci., (2007).
34. Baratta, M.V., Christianson, J.P., Gomez, D.M., Zarza, C.M., Amat, J., Masini, C.V., Watkins, L.R., and
Maier, S.F., Prior controllable stress blocks the expression of conditioned, but not unconditioned, fear:
role of the medial prefrontal cortex, Proc Soc. Neurosci., (2007).
35. Drugan R. C., Reynolds, B., Christianson, J. P., & Kent, S. The role of hypothermia in intermittent
swim stress-induced deficits in spatial learning in rats. Proc Soc. Neurosci. (2007).
36. Christianson, J. P., Rabbett S. M., Lyckland, J., & Drugan, R. C., (2006). Intermittent Swim Stress
Increases Immobility in the Forced Swim Test Regardless of Serotonergic Manipulation. Society for
Neuroscience Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2006.
Online.
37. Drugan, R. C., Van Hoogenstyn, A., & Christianson, J. P. (2006) Intermittent swim stress interferes
with spatial learning. Society for Neuroscience Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC:
Society for Neuroscience, 2006. Online.
38. Christianson, J. P. & Drugan, R. C., (2005) Serotonergic involvement in the behavioral depression
produced by intermittent swim stress. Society for Neuroscience Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner.
Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
39. Silva, J. L., Christianson, J. P., & Drugan, R. C. (2005) Swim stress controllability effects on forced
swim test behaviors. Society for Neuroscience Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC:
Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
40. Drugan, R. C., Wiedholz, L., Holt, A., Silva, J., Kent, S., & Christianson, J. P. (2005) Shock or sickness
stress cause long-term enhancement of the ataxic effects of ethanol. Society for Neuroscience Abstract
Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
41. Kent, S., Govic, A.., Levay, E., Christianson, J. P., Hazi, A., Flannery, G., & Drugan, R. C. (2005)
Endocrine and immunological correlates of stress-resilient and stress-vulnerable rats. Society for
Neuroscience 2005 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005.
Online. Also presented at the 2005 Australian Neuroscience Society
42. Christianson, J.P. & Drugan, R.C. (2004) Behavioral Consequences of intermittent cold-water swim
stress on the forced swim test and a swim escape test. Society for Neuroscience Abstract
Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
43. Silva, J.L., Christianson, J. P., Townson, D. H., & Drugan, R. C., (2004) Acute vs chronic swim stress
controllability effects on behavior and endocrine markers. Society for Neuroscience Abstract
Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
44. Christianson, J. P., Anderson, M. J. , Misanin, J. R., & Hinderliter, C. F. (2004) Hypothermia prolongs
the interval at which taste aversions can be formed when using a compound CS. Presented at the 2004
Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Meeting (#51).
45. Christianson, J. P., Townson, D. H., & Drugan, R. C. (2003) Comparison of intermittent shock and
intermittent cold-water swim stress on corticosterone and TNF-α at two time points after a forced swim
test. Society for Neuroscience Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner 2003.
46. Hinderliter, C. F., Misanin, J. R., Christianson, J. P., Giovanni, L. M., & Anderson, M. J. (2003)
Prolonging the CS-US Association Interval Following Ketaset-Rompun Prior Experience. 2003 meeting of
the Mid-western Psychological Association.
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47. Christianson, J. P., & Drugan R. C. (2002) Comparison of intermittent shock and cold water swim
stress on fear and shuttlebox escape performance. Society for Neuroscience Abstract Viewer/Itinerary
Planner 2002.
48. Drugan, R. C., Shahan, T., & Christianson, J. P. (2002) Preliminary analysis of the effects of
intermittent cold water swim stress on alcohol self-administration. Society for Neuroscience Abstract
Viewer/Itinerary Planner 2002.
Invited Presentations
2016 Social Brain Sciences Symposium (Brandeis University), Purdue Symposium on Psychological
Sciences; 2015 NIMH BRAINS Finalist, IBNS Victoria, British Columbia, Boston College Biology Department
Retreat; 2014 McLean Hospital, 2012 Boston College, Virginia Tech, Georgetown University, Boston
University, Emory University, Neurobiology of Stress Workshop, SFN Chair & Presenter “Fear inhibition by
learned safety signals”; 2011 Earl Stadtman Lecture – NIH, Ithaca College; 2010 Bucknell University; 2006
St. Anselm College, McLean Hospital; Moravian College, Middlebury College; 2005 University of New
England School of Osteopathic Medicine (with Robert Drugan).
Reviewing Activities
Ad Hoc Journal reviewer: Behavioral Neuroscience**; Behavioral Pharmacology; Biological Psychiatry**; Brain
Research**; Behavioral Brain Research**; British Journal of Pharmacology; Chronobiology International;
Cognitive, Behavioral and Affective Neuroscience; Frontiers in Neuroscience; Journal of
Psychopharmacology**; Molecular Psychiatry; Neurobiology of Learning & Memory; Neuroscience;
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews; Neuroscience Letters; Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior**;
Pharamcogenomics & Personalized Medicine; Progress in Neuro-Pharmacology & Biological Psychiatry**;
Psychoneuroendocrinology**; Psychopharmacology**; Stress, Trends in Neurosciences (**indicates multiple
reviews)
Ad Hoc Grant Reviews: New Zealand Health Research Council (HRC), Human Frontiers Science Program,
UK SBS MRC, European Research Council (ERC)
2014: Psychoneuroendocrinology, Brain Research**, Behavioral Pharmacology, Behavioral Brain Research
(Awarded “outstanding reviewer”)**, Behavioral Neuroscience, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews;
New Zealand Health Research Council (HRC), Progress in Neuropharmacology & Biological Psychiatry** (**
indicates multiple reviews)
2015: ACS Neuroscience, Stress, Progress in Neuro-Pharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, Behavioural
Brain Research, European Research Council (ERC), Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior, Experimental
Gerontology
Professional Memberships
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Society for Neuroscience (2001-present)
Society for Social Neuroscience (2014-present)
International Behavioral Neuroscience Society (2009-present)
Society for Social Neuroscience (2014-present)
American Psychological Association, Division 2: Society for the Teaching of Psychology (Student
member, 2001-2006)
American Psychological Society (2001-2006)
Christianson CV
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Updated December 10, 2015
Mentoring
Postdoctoral Fellows
Daniel Adams, Juan Varela
Graduate Students at Boston College
PhD Students: Allison Foilb, Morgan Rogers
PhD Committees: Nicholas Worley
Undergraduate Students at Boston College (h=Honors, current appointment)
2014 – Anne Pierce (NIDA), Dora Pepo (NE School of Optometry), Andrew Cho (Allen Brain Institute), Ashley
Robbins, Veronica Chen (h, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-research assistant)
2015 – Mary Sarlitto (h), Vikram Krishna (h), Lucy Xu, Morgan McGoey, Katherine Gribbons, Madelyn
Cannone
UROP, BURST, Volunteer & Honors Students at the University of Colorado & University of New
Hampshire
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2012: Anna Vavra; 2011: Chad Cleerdin, Kelly Boylan, Emily Martersteck; 2010: Daniel Nadler;
2009: Joshua Jennings & Thomas Ragole; 2007: Richard Kaufman & Myra Irani. 2006: Jennifer
Lyckland & Sarah Rabbett; 2005: Andrew VanHoogenstyn; 2004: Julia Peters & David Soucy; 2003:
Angela Holt.
Teaching
Course
Years Taught
PS583 Molecular Basis of Learning and Memory
2013F
PS285 Behavioral Neuroscience
2014F
PS384 Neurophysiology
2015S
Service and Volunteerism
Boston College
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University Core Microscopy Committee (2013: 3-year term)
University Strategic Planning in Integrated Sciences (2014o Integrated Science Curriculum Sub-Committee (Winter 2015)
o Integrated Science Space planning (Spring 2015)
Psychology Department Graduate Program Committee (2013Psychology Department Committee on Senior Hiring Policy (2014-15)
Academic Community
Prior to joining BC faculty:
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2012 “Inhibition of fear by learned safety signals” – Minisymposium Chair, Society for Neuroscience
Annual Meeting
2010 “Neurobiology of Stress” Workshop – Poster session planning committee
University of Colorado Biological Sciences Initiative: Designed and implemented programs to aid
high school teachers in the instruction of neuroscience.
Christianson CV
Page 9 of 10
Updated December 10, 2015
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Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley: Chair, Community Relations Committee (2009-2013) &
Development Team Member 2007-2013. **Golden Hammer Service Award.
Graduate Member, UNH Behavioral Neuroscience Search Committee, 2003
Brain Awareness Week
UNH Colloquium Coordinator, 2002-03
“Take a Breath” and “Enough” Fundraising for World Hunger 2003-present. Over $450,000 raised to
date.
Christianson CV
Page 10 of 10
Updated December 10, 2015