Dr. Aaron Schirmer smiles into the camera in front of a plain background.
Aaron
Schirmer
Associate Chair, Professor
Biology
College of Arts and Sciences
(773) 442-5617
Courses Taught
Introduction to Biology (BIO 100)
Essential Skills for Biologists (BIO 150)
General Biology I (BIO 201)
General Biology II (BIO 202)
General Genetics (BIO 303)
Biology Senior Seminar (BIO 390)
Genomics and Proteomics (BIO 368)
Biochemical Genetics (BIO 421)
Chronobiology (BIO 412)
Research Interests
Chronobiology, Neuroscience, Behavioral Genetics, and Molecular Biology
Education

Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.
Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience

Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Ill.
Bachelors of Science, Biology
Minors in Chemistry and Urban Studies

Selected Publications

Cassidy, D., Epiney, D. G., Salameh, C., Zhou, L. T., Salomon, R. N., Schirmer, A. E., ... & Bolterstein, E. (2019). Evidence for premature aging in a Drosophila model of Werner syndrome. Experimental gerontology, 127, 110733.

Schirmer, A. E., Gallemore, C., Liu, T., Magle, S., DiNello, E., Ahmed, H., & Gilday, T. (2019). Mapping behaviorally relevant light pollution levels to improve urban habitat planning. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-13.

Prete, F. R., Schirmer, A. E., Patel, S., Carrion, C., Prete, G. M., van Alphen, B., & Svenson, G. J. (2019). Rhythmic abdominal pumping movements in praying Mantises (Insecta: Mantodea). Fragmenta entomologica, 51(1), 29-40. doi: https://doi.org/10.4081/fe.2019.332.

Smarr, B. L. and Schirmer, A. E. (2018). 3.4 million real-world learning management system logins reveal the majority of students experience social jet lag correlated with decreased performance. Scientific Reports 8, 4793.

Schirmer, A. E., Prete, F. R., Mantes, E. S., Urdiales, A. F., Bogue, W. (2014) Circadian Rhythms Affect the Electroretinogram, Compound Eye Color, Striking Behavior, and Locomotion of the Praying Mantis, Hierodula patellifera (Serville).  The Journal of Experimental Biology 217: 3853-3861.

Additional Information

Research in the Schirmer laboratory focuses on the study of circadian rhythms and the effect that these rhythms have on animal behavior and physiology. Ongoing work on mammalian circadian rhythms includes an investigation of: (1) The molecular genetic mechanisms involved in the regulation and expression of circadian rhythms in the brain and peripheral tissues, (2) the impact of environmental perturbations, such as photopollutions and social jet lag, on the circadian system, and (3) new technologies and techniques for studying circadian clocks in vivo and in vitro. In addition to work on mammalian clocks, the Schirmer lab has established collaborations to investigate the role of circadian rhythms in invertebrate model systems. Specifically, the laboratory is interested in studying the role of circadian clocks in the modulation of appetitive behavior in various praying mantis species and the implications of photopollution on Drosophila behavior.

BBH 352E
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

(773) 442-5617
Office Hours
Please email a-schirmer@neiu.edu to arrange to meet or speak with Dr. Schirmer.
Main Campus