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Nancy Michael

Rev. John A. Zahm, C.S.C. Teaching Professor

Rev. John A. Zahm, C.S.C. Teaching Professor
Office
232 Jordan Hall of Science
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone
+1 574-631-2283
Email
nmichael@nd.edu

Academic Interests:

Dr. Nancy Michael earned her doctorate degree in neuroscience from the University of Minnesota in 2012. Her doctoral studies were anchored in the field of behavioral neuroendocrinology where she explored questions of experience dependent plasticity – how experiences with the individuals and the world around us change nervous system structure and function. This curiosity led her to pursue postdoctoral studies in an adolescent development lab, further developing her ability to interrogate the ways in which experiences moderate brain structure, function and behavior. Harnessing this background in experience dependent plasticity, Michael chose to devote her skills to undergraduate educational formation. She joined the Notre Dame faculty in 2014 to develop the newly created undergraduate program in neuroscience and behavior. Over the years, her dedication to excellence, innovation in education and commitment to community wellness have earned her numerous teaching, advising and community awards, and currently serves as the Director of Education and Co-Director for the Neuroscience and Behavior major at the University of Notre Dame. In addition to her work on campus, Michael partners with multiple community organizations to develop and implement NEAR science approaches that aim to mitigate the impact of toxic stress and promote healing and resilience of individuals and communities. NEAR stands for Neuroscience, Epigenetics, Adverse childhood experiences and Resilience, and a NEAR-science approach uses a community-centered, general capacity building model to mobilize the evidence base of the NEAR sciences in support of practical skill development for individuals and community organizations.


Broadly, Dr. Michael’s work collaboratively develops population-specific, NEAR-based strategies to support practical skill building for community healing and resilience efforts. Her work is published across a wide variety of platforms ranging from primary scientific journals, book chapters, to children’s books. Common themes across her writing center around experience dependent plasticity and the critical role relationships play in human learning and well-being. In addition to her written works, Dr. Michael takes a leadership role in designing and executing a wide variety of professional development opportunities to support individuals in the “helping professions” (e.g. educators, youth workers, mental health professionals, community health workers, medical professionals, etc.). Dr. Michael is known for making very complex information accessible and actionable in practical contexts. The breadth of her productivity is indicative of her desire to not only participate in knowledge generation, but to support the translation of the neuroscientific knowledge base into practical skills, behaviors and habits of mind that become present in our daily living.

Biography:

  • Rev. John A. Zahm, C.S.C. Associate Teaching Professor 2024 - Present
  • Rev. John A. Zahm, C.S.C. Associate Teaching Professor 2020 - 2024
  • Assistant Teaching Professor 2014-2020
  • Director of Undergraduate Studies, Neuroscience and Behavior 2014-Present
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, Michigan State University 2012-2014
  • Neuropsychology Research Assistant, University of Michigan 2007-2008
  • Molecular Imaging Sales Executive/Technical Representative, Eastman Kodak Corporation 2005-2007
  • Molecular Biology Lab Manager/Research Assistant, Wayne State University Medical School 2004-2005
  • Pharmacogenetics Assistant Lab Technician, VanAndel Institute 2001-2003
  • Ph.D., University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, MN 2008-2012
  • B.S., Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo, MI 1997-2001

Selected Publications:

  • Stevens A*, Radvansky GA, Michael NA. Long-Term Learning Gains in Students Using Community Based Learning. In press.
  • Michael N+, Chan-Deveare V+. Learning to Serve: A Neuroscience-informed Scaffold to Developing Students as Community Leaders. Chapter in Eifler and Wheeler (Eds) Beneath the Rage and Tumult: Promoting Radical Hospitality and Belonging in College Classrooms. In press.
  • Michael N. A Part, Not Apart: courageous curiosity reminds us of shared our shared humanity. Notre Dame Magazine, Autumn, 2024. https://magazine.nd.edu/stories/a-part-not-apart/
  • Michael, N. A., & Spesia, F. (2023, June 29). Developmental Neuroscience and a New Paradigm for Community-Based Learning. Community-Based Global Learning Collaborative. https://www.cbglcollab.org/blog/developmental-neuroscience-and-cbl
  • Hollender M*, Michael NA. Short-Term Brain-Based Growth Mindset Pilot Intervention Indicates Potential of Diversion Programs for Early Offenders in the Juvenile Justice System. Internat J of Soc Sci and Human Research. 6(09). September 2023.
  • Mohr MA, Staffend-Michael N, DonCarlos LL, Sisk CL. Sex differences in proliferation and attrition of pubertally born cells in the rat posterior dorsal medial amygdala. Dev Cog Neurosci. Epub 30 July 2022.
  • Brown K*, Nisbet A*, Hammond R*. No Snow Day for the Brain. Michael NA (Ed). Lulu publishing. Copywrite February, 2022.
  • Michael NA. Changing… one synapse at a time. Chapter in Brantmeier and McKenna (Eds) Pedagogy of Vulnerability. Information Age Publishing. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing. Copywrite March, 2020

Awards:

Primary Research Areas:

Neuroscience & Behavior

Research Specialties:

Behavioral neuroscience
Experiential plasticity
Neuroendocrinology