Michael King

Professor of Biology

I enjoy interacting with students in the laboratory, either as they work on their senior projects or as part of a course that they are taking. For example, in some of the labs that I teach, I enjoy helping students design experiments to understand animal behavior, record from nerves and muscle and measure their own cortisol levels. I also enjoy working very closely with students who are interested in pursuing a career in the health professions. As the primary pre-health advisor, I help students make decisions about their career path, ensure that they are preparing themselves for the application process and provide a letter of recommendation.

  • PhD, neuroscience, University of Virginia
  • BA, biology, Princeton University

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Michael King

Biography

Michael King has been teaching at Stetson since fall 1993. In addition to the courses listed below, he frequently mentors students on their senior research projects. Most of the student projects have been part of his research, designed to understand the central neural mechanisms that control behavioral responses to taste input. Students use combinations of anatomical, behavioral and pharmacological techniques to address the role of specific brain areas in ingestive and aversive responses to tastes. Many of these students have gone on to graduate programs in the sciences.

More About Michael King

Areas of Expertise

  • Neuroscience
  • Pre-health advising

Course Sampling

  • Introductory Biology I
  • Introductory Biology II
  • Biological Basis of Behavior
  • Research Proposal
  • Senior Seminar
  • Endocrinology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Neurobiology

  • Neural basis of behavior, specifically the central neural mechanisms underlying taste-related behaviors

*denotes Stetson undergraduate co-author

  • King, M.S., 2018, Distribution of Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the gustatory cortex elicited by intra-oral infusion of taste solutions in conscious rats. Brain Research 1683:67-77.
  • *Riley, C.A. and King, MS, 2013, "Differential effects of electrical stimulation of the central amygdala and lateral hypothalamus on Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the gustatory brainstem and taste reactivity behaviors in conscious rats." Chemical Senses 38: 705-717.
  • *Biondolillo, J.W., Williams, L.A. and King, MS, 2009, "Blocking glutamate receptors in the waist area of the parabrachial nucleus decreases taste reactivity behaviors in conscious rats," Chemical Senses 34:221-230.
  • *Morganti, J.M., Odegard, A.K. and King, MS, 2007, "The number and location of Fos- like immunoreactive neurons in the central gustatory system following electrical stimulation of the parabrachial nucleus in conscious rats," Chemical Senses 32:543-555.
  • Harrison, T.A., Hoover, D.B. and King, MS, 2004, "Distinct regional distributions of NK1 and NK3 neurokinin receptor immunoreactivity in rat brainstem gustatory centers," Brain Research Bulletin 63:7-17.
  • *Galvin, K.E., King, C.T. and King, MS, 2004, "Stimulation of specific parabrachial subnuclei elicits ingestive oromotor behaviors in conscious rats," Behavioral Neuroscience 118:163-172.
  • King, MS, 2003, "Distribution of immunoreactive GABA and glutamate receptors in the gustatory portion of the nucleus of the solitary tract in rat," Brain Research Bulletin 60:241-254.
  • King, MS and Bradley, R.M., 2000, "Biophysical properties and responses to glutamate receptor agonists of identified subpopulations of rat geniculate ganglion neurons," Brain Research 866: 237-246.
  • *Gill, C.F., *Madden, J.M., *Roberts, B.P., *Evans, L.D. and King, MS, 1999, "A subpopulation of neurons in the rat rostral nucleus of the solitary tract that project to the parabrachial nucleus express glutamate-like immunoreactivity," Brain Research 821:251-262.
  • *Williams, J.B., *Murphy, D.M., *Reynolds, K.E., *Welch, S.J. and King, MS, 1996, "Demonstration of a bilateral projection from the rostral nucleus of the solitary tract to the medial parabrachial nucleus in rat." Brain Research 737:231-237.
  • Bradley, R.M., King, MS, Wang, L. and Shu, X., 1996, "Neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory activity in the gustatory zone of the nucleus tractus solitarius." Chemical Senses 21:377-385.
  • King, MS and Bradley, R.M., 1994, "Relationship between structure and function of neurons in the rat rostral nucleus tractus solitarii." J. Comparative Neurology 344:50-64.