Psychological Sciences Faculty
Robert Phillips
Research Associate Professor, Behavioral Neurosciences Area
Mailing Address:
Department of Psychological Sciences
Purdue University
703 Third Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2081 USA
Campus Address:
Psychological Sciences, Room 3140
E-mail: rphillip@psych.purdue.edu
Telephone: (765) 494-6268
Degree: Ph.D Purdue University, 2000
Dr. Phillips’ research focuses on the autonomic nerve circuits with
which the brain coordinates gastrointestinal tract functions and
regulates food intake.
Recently, he has concentrated on how these nerve circuits change and
become impaired with age. Phillips’ focus on the aging of the circuitry
controlling digestion and ingestion addresses important health problems
of the elderly and simultaneously provides a unique perspective to
better understand the neural pathways that control food intake.
Recent Publications:
Phillips, R. J., Walter, G. C., Ringer, B. E., Higgs, K. M., & Powley*, T. L. (2009). Alpha-synuclein immunopositive aggregates in the myenteric plexus of the aging Fischer 344 rat. Experimental Neurology, 220, 109-119.
Miranda, A., Mickle, A., Medda, B., Zhang, Z., Phillips, R. J., Tipnis, N., Powley, T. L., Shaker, R., & Sengupta*, J. N. (2009). Altered mechanosensitive properties of vagal afferent fibers innervating the stomach following gastric surgery in rats. Neuroscience, 162, 1299-1306.
Walter, G. C., Phillips, R. J., Baronowsky, E. A., & Powley*, T. L. (2009). Versatile, high-resolution anterograde labeling of vagal efferent projections with dextran amines. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 178, 1-9.
Powley, T. L. & Phillips, R. J. (2009). Energy homeostasis: Visceral control. In: L. R. Squire (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Neuroscience (pp. 1053-1058). Oxford: Academic Press.
Phillips, R.J., G.C. Walter, and T.L. Powley (2010) Age-related changes in vagal afferents innervating the gastrointestinal tract. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical, 153:90-98.