Michael L Miller

Michael L. Miller
B.S. in Integrative Neuroscience (molecular track)
B.S. in Biochemistry
e-mail: mmiller2@binghamton.edu
website: http://students.mssm.edu/millem14/

My name is Michael Miller and recently graduated Binghamton University with degrees in molecular integrative neuroscience (formerly psychobiology) and biochemistry, as well as a certificate in evolutionary studies (Fall 2006 – Spring 2010).  I start medical training at Mt. Sinai Medical School in August 2010.

The fact that evolutionary theory has the power to answer broad research questions is what initially attracted me to the EvoS program.  The theory provides a framework for formulating questions and expectations, and when designed properly, an experiment may be performed to test out these hypotheses.  After reading Evolution for Everyone by David Sloan Wilson, and concurrently taking the winter course taught by Andrew Gallup, the accessibility of this theory became quite clear.

Current & Past Research Topics:

– Yawning as a thermoregulatory mechanism
– Contagious yawning and stretching in budgerigars
– Gastric bypass, obesity and motivation (Brookhaven National Labs, New York)

Academic Organizations:

– Society for Neuroscience, Active Student Member (2009 – Present)

– Sigma Xi, Active Student Associate Member (2008 – Present)
– International Society for Behavioral Ecology, Active Student Member (2008 – Present)

Teaching Experience:

– Cellular Neurobiology (Fall 2008, 2009) taught by Dr. Carol Miles
– General Pathology (Spring 2011)

Student Organizations:

– Binghamton University Neuroscience Club (www.binghamtonsa.org/Neuro)
– Binghamton University Fencing Club  (www.binghamtonsa.org/Fencing)

Selected Publications:

– Miller, M. L., Gallup, A. C., Vogel, A. R., Vicario, S. M., & Clark, A. B. (2012). Evidence for contagious behaviors in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus): An observational study of yawning and stretching. Behavioural Processes, 89, 264-270.

– Miller, M. L., Gallup, A. C., Vogel, A. R. & Clark, A. B. (in press). Auditory disturbances promote temporal clustering of yawning and stretching in small groups of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Journal of Comparative Psychology.

– Miller, M. L., Gallup, A. C., Vogel, A. R. & Clark, A. B. (2010). Handling-stress initially inhibits, but then potentiates yawning in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Animal Behaviour, 80, 615-619.

– Gallup, A. C., Miller, M. L., & Clark, A. B. (2010). The direction and range of ambient temperature change influences yawning in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 124, 133-138.

– Gallup, A. C., Miller, M. L., & Clark, A. B. (2009). Yawning and thermoregulation in budgerigars: Science as an incremental process. Animal Behaviour, 78, e3-e5.

– Gallup, A. C., Miller, M. L., & Clark, A. B. (2009). Yawning and thermoregulation in parakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus). Animal Behaviour, 77, 109-113.