Jenny Clarkson, PhD

Dr. Clarkson completed her PhD with Professor Herbison in 2008 at the University of Otago investigating the role of kisspeptin in the activation of GnRH neurons. After working as a postdoc in the laboratory of Professor Micevych at UCLA exploring the development of astrocytes and their sexual differentiation, Dr Clarkson returned to the University of Otago to continue her work with Professor Herbison dissecting the functions of the kisspeptin neurons. Recently Dr Clarkson’s research has focussed on understanding the role of the kisspeptin neurons in the control of reproductive hormone secretion. Dr Clarkson has been using cutting edge neuroscience techniques to specifically manipulate the in vivo function of kisspeptin neurons and determine their critical role in generating pulsatile hormone secretion.