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Kristina O. Smiley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. She holds a PhD from Cornell University and a Bachelor's degree from Wayne State University. Her research explores the neural and hormonal mechanisms regulating social behavior, particularly in animal species such as zebra finches, which serve as an excellent model for studying these dynamics. Smiley's interests include the intersection of brain function, hormones, and sensory processing in parental behaviors. She investigates key questions such as how hormones affect parenting behavior, how the brain modifies this behavior, and how sensory cues influence parental responses. By employing various research techniques, including behavioral testing and hormone assays, she aims to shed light on healthy parental brain functions and to identify ways to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders, including postpartum depression. Smiley is currently unable to accept undergraduate students for the Winter 2026 semester but encourages interested students to reach out about opportunities in her lab for Summer and Fall 2026.
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science