Helen Murphy
Professor
Background
Dr. Murphy received her B.S. in Biology at Notre Dame College and M.S. in Biology from John Carroll University. She was awarded a National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship to pursue a Ph.D. in Physiological Psychology at Illinois Institute of Technology.
Areas of Expertise
- Co-founder and Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Concentration involving Biology
- Chemistry
- and Psychology majors
Research Interests
My major area of investigation centers on animal models of circadian rhythms such as shift work which is produced by an alteration of various factors affecting the normal circadian cycle in humans. Although it has been shown that light is the major factor regulating the cycle, other external cues such as time of feeding and physical activity can also affect the functioning of the clock. Light and nonphotic variables can be synchronized resulting in homeostasis and balance within the organism or desynchronized which may be associated with many pathological conditions. Also studied are the effects of various drugs and supplements on circadian rhythms and the most effective time of administering of these compounds during the cycle.
Education
Ph.D., Psychology, llinois Institute of Technology M.S., Biology, John Carroll University B.S., Biology; Minors: Chemistry and Psychology, Notre Dame CollegeCourses Taught
Advanced Research Topics in NeurosciencePsychobiology
Psychopharmacology
Mind, Brain, and Behavior
Sensation and Perception
General Psychology
Publications
Drs. Murphy and Wideman have over 200 published abstracts of presentations at regional, national and international conferences and have co-authored over 40 full-length peer-reviewed publications.Recent publications:
Wideman, C. H., Iemma, A., Janolo, O., Kalinina, A. and Murphy, H. M. Effect of Creatine
Monohydrate on Spatial Working Memory, Body Weight, and Food Intake in Male and
Female Rats. Nutrients, 2025, 17, 2218. https//doi.org/10.3390/nu17132218.
Murphy, H. M., Kalinina, A. I. and Wideman, C. H. Effects of Chronic Oral Administration of
Midazolam on Memory and Circadian Rhythms, in Rats. Drug Research, 2023, 73: 40-45.
doi:10.1055/a-1937-9064. Epub 2022.
Ekstrand, E., Murphy, H. M. and Wideman, C. H. The Effects of the Prodrug Vyvanse on Spatial
Working Memory and Adiposity in Rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 186, 2019.
doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2019.172765.
