Jeffrey R. Kelly
Doctoral candidate & graduate teaching assistant in Neuroscience & Behaviour at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
I am a researcher in the Environmental Psychology Innovation Center (E.P.I.C.) Laboratory investigating the neural and genetic mechanisms of social behaviour in zebrafish, and the impact of environmental pollutants on group leadership. My research background has taken place at Liverpool John Moores University, Norwegian University of Science & Technology, University of Tromsø, University College Dublin, and the University of Montana. Previous research has included neuroendocrinology, evolutionary behavioural ecology, and neuropsychopharmacology.
My teaching experience includes behavioural neuroscience, developmental biology, perceptual psychology, audio engineering, and astrophysics. I have experience with teaching both physical and online courses, and in both classroom and laboratory settings.
In my spare time I am an actively performing musician, run an independent record label & booking agency, and work as a freelance audio engineer & composer for film and video games. My non-musical interests include learning languages (officially a polyglot!) filling my passport with as many stamps as possible, cooking, and learning about astrophysics.
My Laboratory
Jeffrey Kelly
PhD Student
Dr. Delia Shelton
Principle Investigator
Halima Amro & Myra Bower
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Current Research
I am interested in determining the behavioural, neural, and genetic mechanisms underpinning group leadership in zebrafish, as well as how environmental pollutants can influence group dynamics.
Cadmium Influences on Social Behaviour
Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal with carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. My current research seeks to understand how individuals exposed to ecologically-relevant levels of cadmium can have disproportionate effects on group behaviour.
(Photo credit: Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)
Neural Mechanisms of Social Behaviour
The Social Decision-Making Network is a highly conserved network of interconnected brain regions thought to regulate social behaviour across taxa. My research seeks to characterise the role of this network in different contexts of social interactions in zebrafish.
Published Work
November, 2019
Poster: Exposure to Social Cues but not Shoaling Activates Neurons in the Zebrafish Preoptic Area
Kelly, J.R. et al. (2019). "Exposure to Social Cues but not Shoaling Activates Neurons in the Zebrafish Preoptic Area." NeuroNET, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
June, 2019
MPhil Thesis: The Role of the Preoptic Area in Social Interaction in Zebrafish
Kelly, J.R. (2019). "The Role of the Preoptic Area in Social Interaction in Zebrafish" A thesis submitted for fulfillment of the degree requirements of Master of Philosophy, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
August, 2018
Poster: Activation of the Social Behaviour Network in Zebrafish in Response to Different Social Cues.
Kelly, J.R., et al. 2018. “Activation of the Social Behaviour Network in Zebrafish in Response to Different Social Cues.” European Conference on Behavioural Biology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
May, 2016
Poster: Effects of Fluoxetine on Aggressive Behaviour in Betta Splendens
Kelly, J. R., et al. 2016. “Effects of Fluoxetine on Aggressive Behaviour in Betta Splendens” UMCUR Research Conference, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA.
May, 2016
Poster: Motor Impairments of Fluoxetine Administration in Betta Splendens
Kelly, J. R., et al. 2016. “Motor Impairments of Fluoxetine Administration in Betta Splendens” UMCUR Research Conference, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA.
May, 2015
Poster: Betta Less Motivated: Effects of Fluoxetine on Betta Splendens
Kelly, J. R., et al. 2015. “Betta Less Motivated: Effects of Fluoxetine on Betta Splendens”. UMCUR Research Conference, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA.
Teaching
Autumn 2019 - Present
University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Department of Psychology
I was a guest lecturer for 8 lectures for a 400-level Sensation & Perception class in the Psychology department covering topics including transduction, neural processing, and cortical organisation.
Autumn 2017 - Summer 2019
Liverpool John Moores University - School of Natural Sciences & Psychology
I served as a teaching assistant and guest lecturer for multiple classes including developmental biology, genetics, animal behaviour, and neurobiology. My guest lectures additionally included leading laboratory practical sessions.
Winter 2017 - Winter 2018
Udemy - Audio & Music Production in Steinberg Cubase
I taught an online course on audio engineering and composition using the digital audio workstation Cubase on the online teaching platform Udemy. Topics covered included audio mixing, digital audio processing, studio mastering, and live audio recording.
Autumn 2015 - Summer 2016
NASA - Space Public Outreach Team
I worked as an educator for the Montana Space Grant Consortium branch of NASA delivering guest lectures and hosting STEM-promotion activities and events at schools in underrepresented and underfunded regions of Montana. Topics covered included Pluto & the Kuiper Belt, the New Horizons space probe mission, general relativity, and the prospect of life in the universe.
Quotes from anonymous Course Evaluations:
"I have thoroughly enjoyed this class through his instruction. He has been a phenomenal teacher, very detailed, cares that we learn, and teaches in a way and at a pace that ensures that we are on the same page. He encourages questions and provides competent answers."
"Extremely knowledgeable on the subject, very nice, easy to talk to, genuinely cares that we understand the material, wants to help as much as possible."