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Janet E. Kirkley

Professor of Biochemistry

Janet Kirkley

Meet Professor Kirkley

Years at Knox: 1992 to present

"My research program is devoted to investigating factors that control the size and character of the immune response. This basic information about how cells of the immune system respond to various stimuli has a wide variety of applications, ranging from disease prevention to disease amelioration or cure."

Education

Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1992, George Washington University.
B.S., Biology and English, 1984, College of William and Mary.

Teaching Interests

Biochemistry, cell biology, cell metabolism, chemistry, immunology, pharmacology.

Selected Professional Accomplishments

Honors/Grants

National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Grant, with Matthew W. Jones-Rhoades, Andrew Mehl, Judy Thorn: Acquisition of a Multifunctional Imager for Research, Undergraduate Training, and Curricular Reform, August 2014 - $41,902.

Academic Research Enhancement Award. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 1997-2000.

Missy Tracy Fellow, Institute for Advanced Studies in Immunology and Aging, Washington D.C., 1990-1992.

Publications

"Inhibition of U937 cytokine secretion by HIV-1 gp120 C4-derived peptide constructs." Co-authored with F.A. Robey. Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers 19 (2004):173-195.

"Temperature alters lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine secretion by RAW 264.7 cells." Co-authored with Knox students B.J. Thompson and J.S. Coon. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology 58 (2003): 51-58.

"Effect of peptide-carrier coupling on peptide-specific immune responses." Co-authored with A.L. Goldstein and P.H. Naylor. Immunobiology 203 (2001): 601-615.

Presentations

"Hypothermic Inhibition of LPS-Induced iNOS and COX-2 Expression." With A. Giri and B. Thompson, American Association of Immunologists, Boston, Massachusetts.

"Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Secretion in LPS-Stimulated Macrophages by Ethanol." With L. Turnbull, American Association of Immunologists, Boston, Massachusetts.

"Temperature effect on regulation of LPS-induced TNF? secretion." With Knox students B.J. Thompson, C. Martz, and and H. Naci. Experimental Biology /American Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2005.

"Temperature influence on activation of NF-κB by LPS in macrophages." With Knox students H. Naci H, Benjamin Thompson, and C. Mill. Experimental Biology /American Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting, San Diego, California, 2005.

"Temperature modulation of endotoxin-stimulated TNF secretion." With Knox student J. Coon. Experimental Biology, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2002.

"Epinephrine modulation of macrophage nitric oxide production." With S. Upadhyay. Experimental Biology, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2002.

"Temperature alters macrophage response to LPS and IFNy." Experimental Biology, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2002.

Campus & Community Involvement

Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Member, American Association of Immunologists.

Member, American Society for Microbiology.

Member, International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research.

Member, International Society for NeuroImmunoModulation.

Member, Society for Leukocyte Biology.

what students say

  • Prof. Kirkley's passion is unparalleled, creating a unique learning experience both in class and in lab. Her vast expertise in immunology, pharmacology, and biochemistry makes her lectures very engrossing, and her extensive experience makes an otherwise daunting subject very understandable. Her extremely high standards demand students to challenge themselves, constantly pushing them to new intellectual levels.

    Tim O'Neal

    Biochemistry and Neuroscience Major

  • Professor Kirkley inspires excellence in her students and makes each of them believe that they are capable of greatness. Her enthusiasm for science and ability to make complex concepts understandable makes learning fun, while her frank, yet fair approach to teaching demands respect. She encourages students to pursue their dreams, and is always available to offer advice and guidance. If they are open to what she has to say, her students grow as scientists, and as people.

    Chante Johnson

    Biochemistry Major