Sarah Jane Alger is an associate professor with the Department of Biology. She began teaching at UW-Stevens Point in 2012 and now serves as the department chair. Alger is broadly interested in the physiology of behavior in animals and in science communication. Within this framework, Alger is interested in reproductive behavior in zebra finches, science communication, and stress behavior in retired research primates.

TEACHING AWARDS

• UWSP Biology Department Pucci Faculty Award, selected by student vote (2021)
• UWSP University Excellence in Teaching Award (2017)
• UWSP Biology Department Excellence in Teaching Award (2016)

PUBLICATIONS

Alger, S.J., Stevenson, S.A., Vega, A.A., Kelm-Nelson, C.A., Juang, C.V., and Riters, L.V. (2022). Differences in dopamine and opioid receptor ratios in the nucleus accumbens relate to physical contact and undirected song in pair-bonded zebra finches. Behavioral Neuroscience. 136(1), 72-83.

Alger, S. J., Kelm-Nelson, C. A., Stevenson, S. A., Juang, C., Gammie, S., & Riters, L. V. (2019). Complex patterns of dopamine-related gene expression in the ventral tegmental area of male zebra finches relate to dyadic interactions with long-term female partners. Genes, Brain and Behavior: e12619 https://doi.org/10.1111/gbb.12619

Pultorak, J. D., Alger, S. J., Loria, S. O., Johnson, A. M., and Marler, C. A. (2018). Changes in behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations during pair bonding and in response to an infidelity challenge in monogamous California mice. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 6(125): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2018.00125

PROFESSONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Animal Behavior Society
• Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
• Society for Neuroscience

Don’t set your sights too narrow. There are more jobs in biology than we will ever know and new ones are being developed every day. Get a good foundation in chemistry and biology and then pursue the topics and experiences that excite you.

-Sarah Jane Alger

ADVICE

Don’t let perfection get in the way of progress.

FUN FACT

She has survived a bluff charge from a tapir in Costa Rica, being stalked by a pod of orcas in Alaska while kayaking, and having a matacaballo tarantula hitch a ride in her pant-leg in Panama.