I have taught gross anatomy and neuroscience for over 20 years. I love finding unique ways to help students remember and utilize their knowledge in their clinical careers. I have taught clinical (medical, veterinary, physical therapy), graduate, and undergraduate students over my career and have been privileged to mentor several in their research endeavors. My research students have been invited to give both national and international talks, have published in excellent peer-reviewed journals, and have received local and national grants. I have also enjoyed the role of mentor to both basic science and clinical faculty. I enjoy assisting others in their endeavors to advance both their research and career goals.
Peterson, D.C. Limbic Circuits and Gut-Brain Interactions. PCOM Research Grant, $8750, 7/1/2020-6/31/2021.
Peterson, D.C., Hamel R. Integration of Basic Science with Clinical Curriculums: Student Growth in Clinical Reasoning and Communication through Practice. HPU Growth Mindset Pedagogy Grant, $1,500, 7/01/18-6/31/19
Peterson, D.C. Examination of short-term learning outcome measures: cadaveric versus two-dimensional learning tools. ISU SoTL, $1,850, 07/01/15-06/31/16.
Peterson, D.C. 鈥淎mygdalar modulation of processing in auditory cortex.鈥 National Institutes of Health, Small Grant Program (NIH R03: DC010245) $444,000. 03/01/2010-02/29/2015. (Primary Investigator).
Peterson, D.C. 鈥淒istinguished Traveling Scholar Award 2014鈥, Society for Neuroscience, $1,200. (PI, President, Ames, IA Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience).
Peterson, D.C. 鈥淪ociety for Neuroscience Chapter Grant 2014鈥 Society for Neuroscience, $1,415, 01/15/14-01/14/15 (Principle Investigator).
Peterson, D.C. 鈥淕ABAergic Neurons are Preferentially Damaged During Blast-Pressure Wave Induced Traumatic Brain Injury.鈥 ISU CVM Seed Grant, $19,000. 07/01/13-06/30/14 (Principle Investigator).
Peterson, D.C. 鈥淒istinguished Traveling Scholar Award 2013鈥, Society for Neuroscience, $1,100. 6/28/13-6/27/14, (PI, President, Ames, IA Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience).
Peterson, D.C., Ellinwood, M., Sakaguchi, D., Trimarchi, J., West, R. 鈥淣euroscience Day Application 2013鈥, ISU Biotechnology Symposium Grant, $4,000. 7/1/13-6/30/14. (Principle Investigator).
Peterson, D.C., Winer, E., Gilbert, S. 鈥淰irtual Surgery: New Frontiers in Medical Education鈥 ISU Miller Fellowship, $15,000. 07/01/13-06/30/14. (Principle Investigator).
Peterson, D.C., Winer, E., Gilbert, S. 鈥淚nteractive Virtual Surgery: New Ways to Learn Medicine鈥 ISU CAC grant, $67,239. 06/01/13-05/31/14. (Principle Investigator).
Peterson, D.C.鈥滻owa State University: Peterson Foreign Travel Grant 2013鈥 ISU, $750, 04/01/13-04/11/13 (Principle Investigator).
Peterson, D.C. 鈥淪FN Chapter Grant 2012鈥 Society for Neuroscience. $800. 10/24/12-10/23/13.
(Primary Investigator).
Peterson, D.C. 鈥3D Volume Rendering of Veterinary Anatomy鈥 Iowa State University CLIM grant, $12,400. 05/01/12-04/30/13. (Primary Investigator).
Peterson, D.C. 鈥淒istinguished Traveling Scholar Award鈥, Society for Neuroscience, $1,200. 6/28/12-12/31/12, (PI, President, Ames, IA Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience).
Peterson, D.C. 鈥淎mes, IA Chapter Grant 2011鈥, Society for Neuroscience, $1,500. 2/28/2011-2/27/12. (PI, President, Ames, IA Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience).
Peterson, D.C. 鈥淢ultidimensional (3/4D) software for visualization of complex anatomical structures.鈥 Iowa State University CLIM grant, $13,242. 04/20/11-12/31/11. (Primary Investigator).
Peterson, D.C. 鈥淎mes, IA Chapter Grant 2010鈥, Society for Neuroscience, $500. 9/7/10-9/6/11. (President, Ames, IA Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience).
Peterson, D.C., Wenstrup, J.J. 鈥淎mygdalar influences on cells in the inferior colliculus鈥. National Institutes of Health, Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows (F32), DC007786, $143,200. 7/21/05-7/20/08. fellow. (Sponsor: J. J. Wenstrup).
Peterson, D.C., Schofield, B.R. 鈥淐ortical projections to the inferior colliculus: Neurochemical and connectional characterizations of targets鈥. National Institutes of Health, Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows (F31), DC05277, $67,025. 9/1/01-8/31/04. fellow. (Sponsor: B. R. Schofield).
DO 130G Clinical and Basic Neuroscience
DONL 337 Elective Rotation Ultrasound Block 1
DONL 337 C02 Elective Rotation Ultrasound Block 2
BIOM 550G Research Survey Seminar
DO 111G Structural Principles of Osteopathic Medicine
I have two current research interests. I examine how higher-order functions such as attention, emotion, and learning are processed by the brain and how these processes are altered by disease or pathology. Progress in these experiments will help identify novel therapeutic approaches for a wide variety of diseases (e.g., tinnitus, psychiatric disorders).
My second set of experiments examines how the gut microbiota influences brain function. Prior experiments in this field have shown that the organisms in the gut can directly affect brain activity. They can have either positive or negative effects depending on which microorganisms are prominent. By altering diet, we can promote the growth of the "good" microorganisms, and thus directly influence specific circuits within the brain. Progress in this set of experiments may help us utilize food as a therapy for a variety of psychiatric and mood disorders.
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