Research Overview —
My research uses traditional behavioral neuropharmacology, immunological assays, and cutting-edge techniques such as fiber photometry and synaptic tracing tools to study the molecular underpinnings and neurocircuitry of social attachment and loss in the monogamous prairie vole. I worked on understanding the effects of social loss in male prairie voles as an NIH Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Scholar in 2021-2022 and am now exploring the effects of social attachment and loss in female prairie voles.
Publications —
Kirckof, A., Kneller, E., Vitale, E. M., Johnson, M. A., & Smith, A. S. (2025). The effects of social loss and isolation on partner odor investigation and dopamine and oxytocin receptor expression in female prairie voles. Neuropharmacology, 267, 110298. Advance online publication.
Presented at the Neurobiology of Grief International Network 5th Annual Conference (Nov 2024), 39th Mossberg Symposium (Jan 2024), Vole Meeting (Aug 2023), and Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting (Nov 2023).
Gossman, KR, Lowe, CS, Kirckof, A, Vanmeerhaeghe, S, & Smith, AS (2024). Corticotropin-releasing factor and GABA in the ventral tegmental area modulate partner preference formation in male and female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Frontiers in Neuroscience, section Neuropharmacology. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1430447
Vitale, EM, Kirckof, A, & Smith, AS (2023). Partner-seeking and limbic dopamine system are enhanced following social loss in male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Genes, Brain and Behavior. doi: 10.1111/gbb.12861
Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting (Nov 2022).
Kirckof, AC & Ehlinger, DG. (2021) The effect of adolescent social isolation on nicotine conditioned place preference and stress-coping behavior. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, 2021.
Kirckof, AC & Ehlinger, DG (2020). Amelia’s anxiety: A case study of the development of anxiety disorders in adolescence. Baylor University McNair Research Conference, 2020.
Presentations —
Kirckof, A & Smith, AS (2025). Outcomes of prolonged partner loss and social isolation in the female prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). 40th Mossberg Honors Symposium, University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, January 15, 2025.
Awards and Honors —
May 2024: Graduate Certificate in Biostatistical Applications, KU Medical Center (GPA: 4.0).
July 2021 – August 2022: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) scholar, University of Kansas (KU).