Susan Larson

In my research laboratory, I use a rodent population to ask questions about the behavioral changes associated with immune system activation.  Research in my laboratory investigates various aspects of "sickness behavior" with a view to understanding communication between the immune system and the central nervous system.  Ongoing projects use a mouse model of lupus to evaluate the effects of autoimmunity on learning and memory.  Another project investigates the effect of immune activation on motor learning in rats. 

I regularly teach the following courses: Learning and Behavior, Behavioral Neuroscience, Drugs and Behavior, and Research Methods.  I also teach Introductory Psychology and Senior Capstone, and the Senior Seminar course for Concordia's Neuroscience Minor.  This fall I had the opportunity to teach an Inquiry Seminar, Brain Enhancement - Ethics and Evidence. 

Links for Learning Laboratory Exercises and Sample Papers:

Recipient, Ole and Lucy Flaat Distinguished Scholarship, Concordia College, Fall 2008

Chair of Psychology Division and Executive Board member, Council on Undergraduate Research, a national organizing promoting undergraduate research experiences, 2008 to present

Facilitator, Institute on Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research organized by Council on Undergraduate Research, Hope College, October 2008/Concordia College, October 2009 

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba (Jan 2004-Present)

Member, Faculty Executive Committee (Fall 2007-Spring 2010)

Member, Faculty Senate (Fall 2001-present)

Visiting Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba (Fall 2006)

Co-Director, Women Studies program (Spring 2004-Fall 2006)

• Larson, S.J., Hartle, K.D., & Ivanco, T.L. (2007). Acute administration of interleukin-1 disrupts motor learning. Behavioral Neuroscience, 121, 1415-1420.
• Santoro, T.J., Tomita, M., & Larson, S.J. (2007). The potential impact of sickness-motivated behavior on the expression of neuropsychiatric disturbances in systemic lupus erythematosus. Medical Hypotheses, 69, 502-507.
• Larson, S. J. (2006). Lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-1 decrease sucrose intake but do not affect place preference in rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 84, 429-435.
• Mori, M. & Larson, S.J. (2006). Using biographies to illustrate the intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics of science. Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education, 5, A1-A5.
• Larson, S. J. & Dunn, A. J. (2005). Behavioral mechanisms for defense against pathogens. In Neuroimmune Biology: Vol 5: Natural Immunity, Editors: L Bertok & DA Chow, pp. 351-368.