Monika R. Fleshner Monika R. Fleshner, Ph.D. Department of Integrative Physiology University of Colorado Boulder, CO 80309-0354 phone: 303-492-1483 fax: 303-492-6778 e-mail:monika.fleshner@colorado.edu

Research Interests

• Exposure to acute and chronic physical and psychological stressors results in changes in neuroendocrine and immune system function. Changes in these systems can lead to alterations in learning and memory, hormonal mileu, immune function, and ultimately may lead to increased susceptibility to disease. Exercise may buffer many of the deleterious consequences of stress.


• Stress Physiology Laboratory.

Education

• 1982-1984, B.S., Department of Pscyhology, Iowa State University.


• 1986-1988, M.A., Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder.


• 1988-1990, Ph.D., Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder.

Professional Experience

• 1990-1991, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Microbiology/Immunology & Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO.


• 1991-1992, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder.


• 1991-1995, Instructor, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder.


• 1993-1996, Instructor, Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Denver.


• 1996-1997, Assistant Research Professor, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder.


• 1997-2003, Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.


• 2003-2004, Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.


• 2004-2009, Associate Professor, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.


• 2009-Present, Professor, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.

Honors and Awards

• 1990-1994, Postdoctoral Fellowships, University of Colorado at Boulder, National Institutes of Health, and National Institutes of Mental Health.


• 1998, Young Investigator Award, Pscyhoneuroimmunology Research Society.


• 2005, Independent Investigator Award, NARSAD.

Recent Publications

• Campeau S, Nyhuis TJ, Sasse SK, Kryskow EM, Herlihy L, Masini CV, Babb JA, Greenwood BN, Fleshner M, Day HEW. Reduction of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis response to low intensity stressors following voluntary wheel running in rats. Neuroendocrinology 22: 872-888.


• Christianshon JP, Ragole T, Amat J, Greenwood BN, Strong PV, Paul ED, Fleshner M, Watkins LR, Maier SF. 5-hydroxytryptamine 2C receptors in the basolateral amygdala are involved in the expression of anxiety after traumatic stress. Biological Psychiatry 67: 339-345, 2010.


• Fleshner M. The gut microbiota: A new player in the innate immune stress response? Brain Behavior & Immunity 25: 395-396, 2011.


• Fleshner M, Maslanik T, Beninson L. In Vivo Tissue Source and Releasing Signal of Endogenous Extracellular Hsp72. In Asea AAA, Pedersen BK (eds). Heat Shock Proteins and Whole Body Physiology. New York, NY: Springer Publishing, pp. 193-215, 2010.


• Greenwood BN, Fleshner M. Exercise, stress resistance and central serotonergic systems. Exercise, Science and Sport Review 39, 2011.


• Greenwood BN, Foley TE, Le TV, Strong PV, Day HEW, Fleshner M. Plasticity in the mesolimbic reward pathway following voluntary exercise reward. Behavioral Brain Research 217: 354-362, 2011.


• Greenwood BN, Strong PV, Fleshner M. Lesions of the basolateral amygdala reverse the long-lasting interference with shuttle box escape produced by uncontrollable stress. Behavioral Brain Research 211: 71-76, 2010.


• Walsh NP, Gleeson M, Shephard RJ, Gleeson M, Woods JA, Bishop NC, Fleshner M, Green C, Pedersen BK, Hoffman-Goetz L, Rogers CJ, Northoff H, Abbasi A and Simon P. Position Statement Part One: Immune Function and Exercise. Exercise Immunology Review 17: 6-63, 2011.