CURRICULUM VITAE

JOHN RICHARD (JACK) GRAY

ADDRESS:

Department of Biology,
112 Science Place,
University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2 Canada
Tel: (306) 966-7305
Fax: (306) 966-4461
E-mail: jack.gray@usask.ca

 

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. Sept. 1991 - June 1995,  Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.

M.Sc.  Sept. 1988 - May 1991,  Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.

B.Sc. (4 yr.)    Sept. 1983 - June 1987,  Department of Biology,  University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

2001 - 2006  Assistant Professor  Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan

2006 - present Associate Professor  Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan

 

POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING:

Sept. 1999 - June 2001            Research Associate Advisors: Dr. Mark A. Willis and Dr. John G. Hildebrand, Arizona Research Laboratories Division of Neurobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.

Project Title: Sensori-motor control of pheromone-guided flight of Manduca sexta.

Sept.1997 - Sept. 1999            Postdoctoral Research Associate  Advisor: Dr. Janis C. Weeks, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.

Project Title: Alteration of neural circuitry during metamorphosis of the hawkmoth, Manduca sexta.

May 1997 - Sept. 1997            Grass Foundation Fellow Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Project Title: Neural Circuitry Underlying a Novel Motor Pattern Expressed During Metamorphosis of the Hawkmoth, Manduca sexta

May 1995 - May 1997             Postdoctoral Associate  Advisor: Dr. R. Meldrum Robertson, Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.

Project Title: Sensori-motor integration underlying avoidance manoeuvres in flying locusts.

 

CAREER OBJECTIVES:

To teach undergraduate and graduate courses in physiology, zoology and neurobiology and to develop an independent research program investigating mechanisms underlying neuronal control of animal behaviour.

   

RESEARCH FUNDING

2006 NSERC Discovery Grant (5 years)   Title: State dependent neuronal encoding of complex sensory environments

2006 CFI Infrastructure Operating Fund

2002 NSERC Research Grant (4 years)   Title: Neuronal control of adaptive insect flight behaviour

2002 CFI New Opportunities Fund  Title: Infrastructure for Neurophysiological and Motion Analysis Research

2002  University of Saskatchewan  President’s NSERC  Title: Multi-neuronal activity of insects flying in virtual space

2001 University of Saskatchewan Capital Equipment Start-Up Funds

2001  University of Saskatchewan Dept. Biology Start-Up Funds

 

AWARDS:

Thesis Bursary, Queen's University, 1994/95.

Dean's Award, Queen's University, 1993/94, 1994/95.

Queen's Graduate Fellowship, Queen's University, 1992/93.

Queen's Graduate Award, Queen's University, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1994/95.

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

2002 -present  Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan Lecturer:  General Biology, Animal Structure and Function, Neurobiology of Behaviour

1999  Department of Entomology, Oregon State University Guest Lecturer:  Entomology (General insect locomotion, Insect flight)

1991 - 1996  Department of Biology, Queen's University

Academic Assistant:  Invertebrate Zoology (co-coordinator and instructor).

Guest Lecturer: Entomology (The insect nervous system, Insect locomotion). Integrative Neurobiology (Neurodevelopment, Motor patterning).

Lab Coordinator: Invertebrate Zoology, Entomology. Teaching Assistant: Animal Physiology, General Biology.

1989 - 1991 Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph Teaching Assistant:   Insect Morphology and Physiology I & II. Insects in Relation to Wildlife.

1984 - 1988 Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg Teaching Assistant:   General Biology, Zoology of the Higher Invertebrates, Zoology of the Lower Invertebrates, Human Anatomy and Physiology.

 

OTHER EMPLOYMENT

Jan.1991- Apr. 1991   EM/LM/Photographic Technician, Curatorial Assistant, University of Guelph.

Summers, 1986-1988  Inspector, City of Winnipeg, Insect Control Branch.

Summer 1985  Curatorial Intern, Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature.

 

MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

1997-present                           International Society for Neuroethology.

1993-present                           Society for Neuroscience.

1992-1993                               Canadian Society of Zoologists.

1990-1991, 1996-present      Entomological Society of America.

2001 – present                        Entomological society of Saskatchewan

 

COMMITTEES

2006-present University of Saskatchewan Academic Support Committee

2003-2006 College of Arts and Science Committee on Student Academic Affairs

2003-2004 President, Entomological Society of Saskatchewan

2002-2003 Vice President, Entomological Society of Saskatchewan

2002-2003 Animal Care Committee Chair, Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan

2001-2002 Computer Committee Chair, Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan

 

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Feb., 1996       Attended a workshop on "Interactive Teaching", Queen's University.

1992-1993       President of the Biology Graduate Student Association, Queen=s University.

1992-1994       Graduate student representative, Department of Biology, Queen=s University.

1992                Preparation of successful NSERC equipment grant application,
Department of  Biology, Queen’s University.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Refereed Journal Articles

Guest, B. B. and Gray, J. R. (2006). Responses of a looming-sensitive neuron to compound and paired object approaches. J.Neurophysiol. 95:1428-1441.

Gray, J.R.  (2005) Habituated visual neurons in locusts remain sensitive to novel looming objects.  J.Exp.Biol. 208:2515-2532.

Gray, J.R. and J.C. Weeks.  (2003) Steroid-induced dendritic regression reduces anatomical contacts between neurons during synaptic weakening and the developmental loss of a behavior.  J.Neurosci. 23:1406-1415.

Gray, J.R., V. Pawlowski and M.A. Willis.  (2002) A method for recording behavior and multineuronal CNS activity from tethered insects flying in virtual space.  J.Neurosci.Methods. 120(2):211-223.

Gray J.R., J.K. Lee and R.M. Robertson.  (2001)  Activity of DCMD neurons and collision avoidance behaviour in response to head-on visual stimuli in locusts.  J.Comp.Physiol[A].  187:115-129.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1998)  Effects of heat stress on axonal conduction in the locust flight system.  Comp. Biochem. Physiol.  120:181-186.

Gray J.R.  (1997) Neurons associated with a novel motor pattern expressed during metamorphosis of the hawkmoth, Manduca sexta.  Biol. Bull.  193:259-260.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1997) Co-ordination of the flight motor pattern with forewing stretch receptor stimulation in immature and mature adult locusts. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.  118A:(1)125-130.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1996) Structure of the forewing stretch receptor axon in immature and mature adult locusts. J.Comp.Neurol.  365:268-277.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1994) Activity of the forewing stretch receptor in immature and mature adult locusts.  J. Comp. Physiol.[A]  175:425-435.

Book Chapters

Frye, M.A. and Gray, J.R. (2005) Mechanosensory integration for flight control in insects. In: Methods in insect sensory neuroscience (ed. Christensen, T. A.), pp. 107-128. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Gray, J.R. and Robertson, R.M. (2005). Sensory coding: extracellular recording from the wing hinge stretch receptor of the locust. In: Laboratory manual for physiology (eds. Silverthorn, D. U., Johnson, B. R., and Mills, A. E.), pp. 297-306. San Francisco: Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings

Published Abstracts                                                                                                               

Gray, J.R. (2005) Habituated visual neurons remain sensitive to new looming objects. Bull.Can.Soc.Zool. 36(2):T48.

Gray, J.R. (2004) Local habituation maintains sensitivity of visual neurons to multiple looming objects. PO173. Proceedings of the 7th International Congress of Neuroethology

Gray,J.R. and M.A. Willis. Multineuronal responses to complex multimodal sensory cues during behaviour. Program No. 403.21 2003 Abstract Viwer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience.

Mohr,N.A. and J.R.Gray. Collision avoidance responses in loosely tethered flying locusts. Program No. 403.20 2003 Abstract Viwer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience.

Gray,J.R. and M.A. Willis (2001) Neurophysiological correlates of adaptive behavior in virtual space.  Soc.Neurosci.Abstr.Vol. 27 Program No. 747.11.

Gray,J.R. and M.A. Willis (2001) Multi-unit neuronal activity during odour-guided flight of the moth Manduca sexta.  Int.Cong.Neuroethol.Abstr.

Gray,J.R. and M.A. Willis (2000) Neural ensemble recording during active locomotion in virtual reality.  Neurosci. Abstr.  26:1722.

Gray,J.R. and J.C. Weeks (1999)  Anatomical correlates of a steroid‑induced change in synaptic  strength during development.  Neurosci. Abstr.  25:2174.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1997) Looming detector activity associated with flight steering in the locust.  Neurosci. Abstr.  23:767.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1997)  Discrimination of looming object trajectory by a right/left pair of movement interneurons in the locust. Bull.Can.Soc.Zool. 28:77.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1996)  Heat-shock reduces thermosensitivity of neural parameters in the locust flight system.  Neurosci. Abstr.  22:1077.

Robertson, R.M., Gray, J.R. and Dawson-Scully, K.  (1996)  Adaptive responses to heat stress in the neural system controlling locust flight.  Proceedings 17th Annual conference of the European Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry. p.60.

Gray, J.R., C.E. Gee and R.M. Robertson.  (1995)  Reorganization of proprioceptive input during maturation of the locust flight system.  Neurosci. Abstr.  21:1276.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1994)  Changes in a proprioceptive pathway during maturation of  locomotor rhythmicity.  Neurosci. Abstr.  20:1594.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1993)  Activity of the forewing stretch receptor in immature and mature adult locusts.  Neurosci. Abstr.  19:1600.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1993)  Plasticity of the forewing stretch receptor during maturation of the locust flight system.  Bull.Can.Soc.Zool.  24:59.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1992)  Development of proprioceptive afferents during maturation of the flight system in the locust.  Int.Cong.Neuroethol.Abstr.  3:322.

Gray, J.R.  (1989)  Structural changes in the brain of male Aedes aegypti (L.)(Diptera:Culicidae) during metamorphosis.  Entomological Society of Ontario.

Specialized Publications and Theses

Gray, J.R.  (1995)  The influence of proprioceptive feedback on the maturation of the flight system of the locust (Locusta migratoria (L.)).  Ph.D. Thesis, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, pp. 165.

Gray, J.R.  (1991)  Structural changes in the eye and brain of male Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) during metamorphosis.  M.Sc. Thesis, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, pp. 125.

Gray, J.R.  (1987)  Effects of Dursban7 on Aedes aegypti and two species of non-target insects.  B.Sc. 4th Year Thesis, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Invited Symposia/Seminars

Gray, J.R. (2005) Through the Mind of an Insect:the Grand Finale. Presented to the Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, SK

Gray, J.R. (2005) Complexity in a "Simple" Nervous System. Presented to the Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, SK.

Gray, J.R. (2005) Pilot Studies: How do flying insects find their way in the world? Presented to the Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan.

Gray, J.R. (2003) Flight or flight: Multineuronal activity during insect orientation. Presented to the Center for Computational Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA

Gray, J.R. (2003) Pilot studies: How do flying insects find their way in the world? Presented to the Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

Gray, J.R. (2002) Adaptive behaviour: Neuroethological studies of insect flight. Presented to the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Gray, J.R. (2001) Neuroethology of adaptive behaviour: insights from insect flight.  Presented to the Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Gray, J.R. and J.C. Weeks (2000) Use of double-fluorescence confocal microscopy to examine changes in neuronal connectivity during development.  Experimental Biology 2000, San Diego, CA.

Gray, J.R.  (1997) An investigation into the neuroethology of insect flight.  Presented to the Institute of Neuroscience,  University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.

Gray, J.R.  (1995)  Proprioceptive feedback during locust flight maturation.  Presented to the ARL Division of Neurobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.

Gray, J.R.  (1995)  The influence of proprioceptive feedback on the maturation of the flight system of the locust (Locusta migratoria (L.)).  Presented to the Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont., Canada.

Gray, J.R.  (1995)  The influence of proprioceptive feedback on the maturation of the flight system of the locust (Locusta migratoria (L.)).  Presented to the Institute of Neuroscience,  University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.

Presentations

Mohr, N.A. and J.R. Gray (2003) Collision avoidance in flying locusts (locusta migratoria L.). Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Saskatchewan.

Mohr, N.A. and J.R. Gray (2003) Collision avoidance in flying locusts (locusta migratoria L.). 50th Spring Meeting of the Entomological Society of Saskatchewan.

Mohr, N.A. and J.R. Gray (2002) Neuroethology of collision avoidance in locusts. 50th Fall Meeting of the Entomological Society of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Gray, J.R., J.K. Lee  and R.M. Robertson  (1998) Looming detector activity associated with flight steering in the locust.  Western Nerve Net Meeting, Tucson, AZ, USA.

Gray, J.R.  (1997) Neurons associated with a novel motor pattern expressed during metamorphosis of the hawkmoth, Manduca sexta.  Annual General Meeting of the Marine Biological Laboratories, Woods Hole, MA, USA.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson  (1997)  Discrimination of looming object trajectory by a right/left pair of movement interneurons in the locust.  East Coast Nerve Net Meeting, Woods Hole, MA, USA.

Gray, J.R. and R.M. Robertson.  (1996)  Heat-shock reduces thermosensitivity of neural parameters in the locust flight system.  Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Louisville, KY, USA.

Robertson, R.M. J.R. Gray.  (1996)  Effects of heat stress on axonal conduction in the locust flight system.  17th Annual Conference of the European Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Antwerp, Belgium.

Shoemaker, K.L., J.R. Gray, H. Xu, and R.M. Robertson  (1996)  Heat shock reduces thermosensitivity of the locust flight system. East Coast Nerve Net Meeting, Woods Hole, MA, USA.

Gray, J.R.  and R.M. Robertson.  (1994)  Maturation of a proprioceptive pathway in the locust flight system.  East Coast Nerve Net Meeting, Woods Hole, MA, USA.

Kuhnert, C.T.,  J.R. Gray, and R.M. Robertson.  (1994)  Thermokinesis in flying locusts.  East Coast Nerve Net Meeting, Woods Hole, MA, USA.

Gray, J.R., C.E. Gee and R.M. Robertson.  (1993)  Maturation of the locust flight system: Role of the forewing stretch receptor.  East Coast Nerve Net Meeting, Woods Hole, MA, USA.

Gray, J.R., C.E. Gee and R.M. Robertson.  (1992)  Maturation of proprioceptive pathways in the flight system of the locust.  East Coast Nerve Net Meeting, Woods Hole, MA, USA.

Gray, J.R.  (1990)  Structural changes in the eye and optic lobe of male Aedes aegypti (L.)(Diptera:Culicidae) during metamorphosis.  Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, New Orleans, LA, USA.

Gray, J.R.  (1990)  Structural changes in the eye and optic lobe of male Aedes aegypti (L.)(Diptera:Culicidae) during metamorphosis.  Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada, Banff, Alta, Canada.