CURRICLUM VITAE
Gilbert R. Pitts
UNIVERSITY
ADDRESS:
Department of
Biology
Austin Peay State University
P.O. Box 4718
Clarksville, TN 37044
Phone: Day (931) 221-7777
Fax: (931) 221-6323
E-mail:
pittsg@apsu.edu
CITIZENSHIP:
United States of America
EDUCATION:
Jan.,
1999 University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108; Ph.D. -- Animal
Physiology; Minor: Neuroscience; Thesis: Prolactin and the
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis; Adviser: Mohamed E. El Halawani, Ph.D.; Co-adviser:
Douglas N. Foster, Ph.D.
Feb., 1994 University
of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108; M.S. -- Animal Physiology; Thesis: The
Regulation of Incubation Behavior by Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; Adviser:
Mohamed E. El Halawani, Ph.D.
Mar., 1991 University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108; B.S. -- Animal
Science
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Assistant Professor:
Austin Peay State University, Department of Biology; Aug., 2004 to present.
Supervisor: Don Dailey. Taught classes in Animal Physiology, Human Physiology,
and Human Anatomy and Physiology as well as the associated laboratories. Set up
laboratory to investigate the regulation of GnRH secretion from GT1 cells.
Senior
Research Associate: Vanderbilt
University, Department of Biological Sciences; Aug. 2002 to Jul 2004.
Supervisor: Doug McMahon. Designed, performed, and analyzed experiments to study
the neural generation and control of circadian rhythms using single-cell RT-PCR
in transgenic mice. Prepared K01 grant application. Supervised graduate students
during their rotations with the laboratory.
Postdoctoral Scholar:
University of Kentucky, Department of Physiology; Feb. 2001 to Aug. 2002.
Supervisor: Doug McMahon. Designed, performed, and analyzed experiments to study
the neural generation and control of circadian rhythms using single-cell RT-PCR
in transgenic mice. Prepared K01 grant application.
Postdoctoral Fellow:
University of Virginia, Department of Internal Medicine; Jan. 1999 to Jan.
2001. Supervisor: Suzanne Moenter. Designed, performed, and analyzed
experiments to determine if RNA transcription is required for pulsatile
secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone from immortalized GnRH neurons.
Developed a single-cell RT-PCR method to identify mRNA transcripts in transgenic
GnRH neurons. Contributed to the validation of an enzyme immunoassay for GnRH.
Gained experience handling mice. Submitted an application for an Individual
National Research Service Award. Responsible for laboratory immunoassay,
radioimmunoassay, and PCR training. Supervised research of undergraduate
students. Maintained laboratory computer network, radioactive material
inventory and survey records.
Treatment Platoon Sergeant:
Virginia Army National Guard, Company C, 429th FSB, Sergeant
First Class; Mar., 1999 to Sep., 2000. Supervisor: 1SG Greg Whisler.
Supervised approximately 20 soldiers. Responsible for platoon training and
equipment maintenance. Applied for direct commission.
Research Assistant:
University of Minnesota, Department of Animal Science;
Mar. 1991 to Dec. 1998. Supervisor: Mohamed E.
El Halawani. Designed a microdialysis protocol to measure dopamine and
serotonin from the hypothalamus of conscious, freely moving adult turkeys.
Determined that multiple prolactin receptor mRNA transcripts exist in the turkey
using northern blots and studied prolactin receptor mRNA levels using
semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Used competitive RT-PCR to study the control of the
prolactin promoter in dispersed pituitary cells. Found the stimulatory effect
of serotonin on prolactin secretion requires more than 3 days of
photostimulation. Determined the effects of chronic and acute VIP infusion into
the median eminence on prolactin secretion and incubation behavior. Gained
familiarity with in situ hybridization techniques. Performed, and
analyzed experiments involving the neuroendocrine control of prolactin
secretion. Performed extensive work in poultry barns such as feeding, weighing
birds, collecting litter samples, collecting tissue samples, collecting semen,
immunizing birds, and maintaining egg production records. Trained incoming
students and technicians in laboratory techniques and repeated measures
analysis. Presented guest lectures and laboratories for a reproductive
physiology class. Assisted teaching systemic physiology laboratories.
Maintained laboratory computers.
Armament Systems Section Sergeant/Acting First
Sergeant: Minnesota Army National
Guard, Company D, 3-147th AVN; Sergeant First Class; Nov., 1995 to
Dec., 1998. Supervisor: 1SG David Thrush. Supervised 4 soldiers and the
maintenance of AH-1 Cobra helicopter armament systems. Planned and executed the
operation of forward arming and refueling points (FARP). Wrote battalion FARP
standard operating procedures. Supervised up to 40 soldiers as acting First
Sergeant for approximately 9 months.
Armament Technical Inspector:
United States Army Reserve, Company D, 2-123rd AVN; Staff Sergeant;
Nov. 1986 to Nov. 1995. Prepared company for Aviation Readiness Management
Survey. Planned and supervised FARP operations. Maintained AH-1 Cobra
Helicopter reference library. Inspected maintenance of helicopter armament
systems.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant:
University of Minnesota, Department of Animal Science; Sept. 1990 to Dec. 1990.
Taught animal breeding using small group exercises. equipment.
ACADEMIC ASSIGNMENT
(AREA I)
Austin Peay State University:
Biology 2010/2011: Human Anatomy and Physiology with a lab section
Biology 2020/2021: Human Anatomy and Physiology with a lab section
Biology 2020-web: In development
Biology 4110/4111: Animal Physiology with a lab section
Biology 4160/4161: Human Physiology with a lab section
Biology 4500: Research in Cell Biology
Biology 4500: Research in Molecular Biology
Biology 4500: Research in Physiology
University of Minnesota:
Animal Science
5322: Physiology of Reproduction; Taught 1-2 lectures and 1 lab every
fall quarter from 1991 to 1997. Topics included photoperiodism, avian
reproductive endocrinology, and physiology.
Animal Science
3301: Systemic Physiology; Assisted with laboratory exercises every
fall quarter from 1990 to 1993.
Animal Science 3220: Animal Breeding; Undergraduate teaching assistant. The
class
was conducted through small group exercises. A
professor and 2
assistants instructed the students in each
group; Sep., 1990 to Dec. 1990.
SCHOLARLY AND CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT (AREA II)
HONORS AND AWARDS:
Society for Research on Biological Rhythms Travel Award: 2002.
National Research Service Award (T32HD07382: This is an institutional award
given to the Center for Research in Reproduction to support postdoctoral
research): Jan. 1999 – Jan. 2001.
Animal Physiology Merit Travel Award: Jul. 1995; Jun. 1994; Jun. 1993.
Robert N.
Shoffner Scholarship in Avian Genetics: 1994
Sven Ranelius
Scholarship: Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Inc., 1993
Dean’s List:
winter, 1991; fall, 1990; winter, 1990; fall, 1989
FUNDED GRANTS:
Incubator Acquisition for Physiology Students ($13,890), Technology Access Fee
Proposal, Austin Peay State University, 2006
Acquisition of Network Printers ($6,756), Technology Access Fee Proposal, Austin
Peay State University, 2005
Avian Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons ($2000), Tower Fund Grant, Austin
Peay State University, 2005
Real-time Thermocycler ($87,860), Technology Access Fee Proposal, Austin Peay
State University, 2005
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS:
Pitts GR,
Ohta H, Zhou T, McMahon DG (2006). Daily rhythmicity of large-conductance Ca2+-activated
K+ currents in suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons. Brain Research
1071:54-62.
Pitts GR,
Fu Y, Youngren OM, Rozenboim I, Whiting SE, and El Halawani ME. The effects of
serotonin, stress, and light on monoamines in the turkey. Poultry Science, In
preparation.
Bluhm CK, Silsby JL, Pitts GR, and El Halawani ME.
Continuous egglaying and
inhibition of incubation by
active immunization against vasoactive intestinal peptide in wild mallards.
Physiological Zoology, In Preparation.
Moenter
SM, DeFazio RA, Pitts GR, and Nunemaker CS (2003). Mechanisms underlying
episodic gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion. Front Neuroendocrinol
24:79-93.
Nunemaker
CS, DeFazio RA, Geusz ME, Herzog ED, Pitts GR, Moenter SM (2001). Long-term
recordings of networks of immortalized GnRH neurons reveal episodic patterns of
electrical activity. J Neurophysiol 86:86-93.
Pitts GR, Nunemaker CS, and Moenter SM (2001). Cycles of
transcription and translation do
not comprise the
gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator in GT1 cells. Endocrinology
142:1858-1864.
El Halawani ME, Whiting SE, Silsby JL, Pitts GR, and
Chaiseha Y (2000). Active
Immunization with vasoactive
intestinal peptide in turkey hens. Poultry Science 79:349-354.
Pitts GR, You S, Foster DN, and El Halawani ME (2000).
Evidence for multiple prolactin
receptor transcripts in the
turkey. Poultry Science 79:355-362.
Youngren OM, Pitts GR, Chaiseha Y, and El Halawani ME
(1999). An opioid pathway in the
hypothalamus of the turkey
that stimulates prolactin secretion. Neuroendocrinology 70:317-323.
Tong Z, Pitts GR, You S, Foster DN, and El Halawani ME
(1998). Vasoactive intestinal peptide
stimulates turkey prolactin
gene expression by increasing transcription rate and enhancing mRNA stability.
J Molec Endocrinol 21:259-266.
El Halawani ME, Youngren OM, and Pitts GR (1997).
Vasoactive intestinal peptide as the avian
prolactin releasing factor
In: Perspectives in Avian Endocrinology S. Harvey, and RJ
Etches (Eds). J of
Endocrinology LTD, Bristol, UK, pp 403-416.
Tong Z, Pitts GR, Foster
DN, and El Halawani ME (1997). Transcriptional and
post-transcriptional regulation of prolactin during the turkey reproductive
cycle. J Molec
Endocrinol 18:223-231.
El Halawani ME, Pitts GR, Sun S, Silsby JL, and
Sivanandan V (1996). Active immunization
against vasoactive intestinal
peptide prevents photo-induced prolactin secretion in
turkeys. Gen Comp Endocrinol
104:76-83.
Pitts GR, Youngren OM,
Phillips RE, and El Halawani ME (1996). Photoperiod mediates the
ability of serotonin to release prolactin secretion in the turkey. Gen Comp
Endocrinol
104: 265-272.
Xu M, Proudman JA, Pitts
GR, Wong EA, Foster DN, and El Halawani ME (1996). Vasoactive
intestinal peptide stimulates prolactin mRNA expression in turkey pituitary
cells: Effects of dopaminergic drugs. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 212:52-62.
Youngren OM, Pitts GR,
Phillips RE, and El Halawani ME (1996). Dopaminergic control of
prolactin secretion in the turkey. Gen Comp Endocrinol 104:225-230.
El Halawani ME, Silsby JL, Rozenboim I, and Pitts GR
(1995). Increased egg production by
active immunization against
vasoactive intestinal peptide in the turkey (Meleagris
gallopavo). Biol Reprod
52:179-183.
El Halawani ME, Youngren
OM, Rozenboim I, Pitts GR, Silsby JL, and Phillips RE (1995).
Serotonergic stimulation of prolactin secretion is inhibited by vasoactive
intestinal
peptide immunoneutralization in the turkey. Gen Comp Endocrinol 99:69-74.
Tabibzadeh C, Rozenboim I,
Silsby JL, Pitts GR, Foster DN, and El Halawani ME (1995).
Modulation of ovarian cytochrome P450 17a-hydroxylase
and cytochrome aromatase
messenger ribonucleic acid by prolactin in the domestic turkey. Biol Reprod
52:600-608.
Youngren OM, Pitts GR,
Phillips RE, and El Halawani ME (1995). The stimulatory and
inhibitory effects of dopamine on prolactin secretion in the turkey. Gen Comp
Endocrinol
98:111-117.
Pitts GR, Youngren OM,
Silsby JL, Foster LK, Foster DN, Rozenboim I, Phillips RE, and
El Halawani ME (1994). Role of vasoactive intestinal peptide in the control of
prolactin
induced turkey incubation behavior. I. Acute infusion of vasoactive intestinal
peptide.
Biol Reprod 50:1344-1349.
Pitts GR, Youngren OM,
Silsby JL, Rozenboim I, Chaiseha Y, Phillips RE, Foster DN, and
El Halawani ME (1994). Role of vasoactive intestinal peptide in the control of
prolactin induced turkey incubation behavior. II. Chronic infusion of vasoactive
intestinal peptide. Biol Reprod 50:1350-1356.
Tabibzadeh C, Silsby JL,
Rozenboim I, Pitts GR, Foster DN, and EL Halawani ME (1994).
Theca cell cytochrome P450 17-hydroxylase and aromatase messenger ribonucleic
acid
abundance and serum steroid levels during follicular atresia associated with
incubation
behavior in the domestic turkey hen. Biol Reprod 51:731-738.
Rozenboim I, Silsby JL,
Tabibzadeh C, Pitts GR, Youngren OM, and El Halawani ME (1993).
Hypothalamic and posterior pituitary content of vasoactive intestinal peptide
and
gonadotropin-releasing hormones I and II in the turkey hen. Biol Reprod
49:622-626.
ABSTRACTS:
Covington K, Mahaffey KL, and Pitts GR (2006).
Continuous connexin 26 mRNA expression in GT1-7 cells. Collegiate Tennessee
Academy of Science Abstract (Western Tennessee), (in press).
Lachance PA, LeBlanc DV, Roberson H, and Pitts GR
(2006). Rapid collection of gonadotropin-releasing
hormone neurons. Collegiate Tennessee Academy of Science Abstract (Western
Tennessee), (in press).
Covington K, Hester M, and Pitts GR (2006).
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion from
immortalized hypothalamic neurons. College of Science and Mathematics Research
Forum, Austin Peay State University, Abstr 1:15.
Pitts GR, and McMahon DG (2003). Circadian
activity of large-conductance, calcium-activated
potassium channels in period1
neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Soc Neurosci Abstr
28:27.
Pitts GR, Kuhlman SJ, and McMahon DG (2002).
Large-conductance, calcium-activated
potassium channels mediate Per1 cell excitability
in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Soc Res Biol Rhythms Abstr 8:78.
Pitts GR, Nunemaker CS, and
Moenter SM (2001). Transcription does not drive episodic GnRH
secretion. Soc Neurosci Abstr 26:5.
Kulick R, Whiting S, Pitts
GR, You S, El Halawani M (1999). Vasoactive intestinal peptide but
not peptide histidine isoleucine as a physiological regulator of prolactin
secretion in the domestic turkey. Poultry Sci 78 (Suppl 1):65.
Youngren O, Pitts G, and El Halawani M (1999). Partial characterization of
an opiate pathway
modulating prolactin secretion in the turkey.
Poultry Sci 78 (Suppl 1):65.
Pitts GR and El Halawani ME (1998). The use of microdialysis to determine
the effects of
serotonin, stress, and light on monoamines in the turkey hypothalamus. Poultry
Sci 77 (Suppl 1):59.
El Halawani ME, Whiting SE,
Silsby JL, and Pitts GR (1996). Active immunization against
vasoactive intestinal peptide in first and second cycle turkey hens. Poultry Sci
75
(Suppl 1): 93.
El Halawani ME, Pitts GR,
Sun S, Silsby JL, and Sivanandan V (1995). Active immunization
against vasoactive intestinal peptide prevents photoperiodically stimulated
prolactin
secretion in turkeys. Poultry Sci 74 (Suppl 1): 157.
Pitts GR, You S, Foster DN,
and El Halawani ME (1995). Prolactin receptor mRNA
quantification in the domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Poultry Sci
74
(Suppl 1): 114.
Youngren OM, El Halawani
ME, Pitts GR, and Phillips RE (1995). The paradoxical effects of
dopamine on prolactin secretion in the turkey. Poultry Sci 74 (Suppl 1): 157.
Chaiseha Y, Youngren OM,
Pitts GR, Rozenboim I, Silsby JL, and El Halawani ME (1994).
Enhanced vasoactive intestinal peptide secretion by turkey hypothalamic
explants.
Poultry Sci 73 (Suppl 1): 55.
Pitts GR, Youngren OM,
Phillips RE, and El Halawani ME (1994). Photoperiod modulates
serotonin-stimulated prolactin secretion in turkeys. Poultry Sci 73 (Suppl 1):
54.
El Halawani ME, Youngren
OM, Pitts GR, Rozenboim I, and Phillips RE (1994). Vasoactive
intestinal peptide (VIP) mediates serotonergic stimulation of prolactin (PRL)
secretion in
the turkey. Poultry Sci 73 (Suppl 1): 56.
Pitts GR, Youngren OM,
Silsby JL, Rozenboim I, Phillips RE, Foster DN, and El Halawani ME
(1993). Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide infusion into the turkey brain does
not induce
incubation behavior. Poultry Sci 72 (Suppl 1): 59.
Rozenboim I, Ghaly K, Pitts
GR, Youngren OM, and El Halawani ME (1993). Maternal
immunization of turkey poults against vasoactive intestinal peptide, as a model
for
passive immunization. Poultry Sci 72 (Suppl 1): 94.
Pitts GR, Youngren OM, Silsby JL, Foster LK, Foster DN,
Rozenboim I, Phillips RE, and El
Halawani ME (1992). The effect
of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide perfused into the
median eminence on plasma
prolactin, pituitary prolactin content, and prolactin mRNA in
laying turkeys. Poultry Sci 71
(Suppl 1): 21.
INVITED BOOK REVIEW:
Pitts GR (1997).
Endocrinology with a backbone. Trends in Endocrinol and Metab.
8(6):252-253.
PROFESSIONAL
CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACTIVITIES (AREA III)
SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATIONS:
American Association for the Advancement of Science: 1993-1996, 2000 - present
Tennessee Academy of Science: 2004 – present
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology: 2004 – present
Society for Neuroscience: 2003 - present
Poultry Science Association: 1993-1996, 2000 - 2002
Society for the Study of Reproduction: 1994-1996
Sigma Xi: 1992-1996, 2000 - 2002
DEPARTMENT AND
UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES:
Responsible for care and operation of animal facilities.
Served on Animal Care Committee.
Served on the Microbiology/Human Anatomy & Physiology faculty search committee.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:
Reviewer for Biology of Reproduction, a
premier journal that publishes scientific papers concerning the study of
reproductive biology. Nov. 2004 – present.
Served on the Scientific Review Committee for
the Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair: 2004 - present.
Served as a judge for the Middle Tennessee
Science and Engineering Fair: 2005.
Served as a judge for a local science fair at
Burt School that was held in 2005.
Served as a judge for a local science fair at
Moore Magnet School that was held in 2005.
