Ryan Shanks, Ph.D.

Ryan Shanks

Professor, Biology

Phone706-864-1368

Office locationHealth and Natural Sciences, 410, Dahlonega

Area(s) of Expertise: Behavioral Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology (Advising Area of Expertise: Biology, Pre-Medicine)

Courses Taught

  • BIOL 1107K - Principles of Biology I
  • BIOL 3240K - Cell Biology
  • BIOL 4435 - Immunology
  • BIOL 4540K – Biotechnology
  • BIOL 4700 – Senior Seminar

Education

  • Ph.D., Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Medical College of Georgia, 2002
  • B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, 1997

Research/Special Interests

Bacteriophage research involving the characterization, genomic analysis, and identification of phage of multiple different host bacteria. This research is done in collaboration with Dr. Kanak.

Neuroscience research using a Lepidopteran, T. ni, as a model organism. This research involves the care and use of the model organism, biochemical approaches, and behavioral analysis. This research is done in collaboration with Drs. Smith and Barding.

Publications

Washburn ME*, Shanks RA, McCartney M, Robertson C, Segura-Totten M. (2023). Discussion of annotated research articles results in increases in scientific literacy within a cell biology course. JMBE.

Colston L*, Segura-Totten M, Shanks RA. (2020). Characterization and Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium Phage Donny. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 9(30), e00373-20. doi: 10.1128/MRA.00373-20

Rhinehart W*, Laidlaw AJ*, O’Neal AM*, Toller J*, Segura-Totten M, Shanks RA, Kanak A. (2020). Characterization and Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium Phage Xian Yue.  Microbiology Resource Announcements, 9 (25), e00459-20. doi: 10.1128/MRA.00459-20

Lloyd SA, Shanks RA, Lapotto D, (2019). Perceived Student Benefits of an Undergraduate Physiological Psychology Laboratory Course.  SoTL in Psychology, 46(3), 215-222.

Segura-Totten M, Jones WH*, Hazel AN*, Shanks RA. (2019). Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium Phage LilHazelnut. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 8(19), e00431-19.

Lloyd SA, Corkill B*, Roberts R*, Bruster M*, Shanks RA (2017). Chronic methamphetamine exposure selectively decreases microglia activation in the tuberoinfundibular pathway in mice. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy. Jul;82:5-11.

Shanks RA, Robertson CL, Haygood CS*, Herdliska AM*, Herdliska HR*, Lloyd SA (2017).  Measuring and advancing experimental design ability in an introductory course without altering existing lab curriculum. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education. 18(1): 18.1.2.

Hanauer DI, Graham MJ, SEA-PHAGES, Betancure L, Bobrownicki A, Cresawn SG, Garlena RA, Jacobs-Sera D, Kaufmann N, Pope WH, Russell DA, Jacobs Jr WR, Sivanathan V, Asai DJ, Hatfull GF (2017). An inclusive Research Education Community (iREC): Impact of the SEA-PHAGES program on research outcomes and student learning. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.  114(51): 13531–13536. (contributing authors are listed on the electronic version)

Shanks RA, Ross JM*, Doyle HH*, Picou BD*, Schulz J*, Tavares C*, Bryant S*, Helton A*, Dawson B, Lloyd SA (2015).  Adolescent exposure to cocaine, amphetamine, and methylphenidate cross-sensitizes adult mice to methamphetamine with drug and sex-specific effects. Behavioural Brain Research, 281, 116-174.

Hatch DL, Zschau T, Hays A*, McAllister K*, Harrison M*, Cate KL, Shanks RA, Lloyd SA (2014). Of mice and meth: A new media-based neuropsychopharmacology lab to teach research methods. Teaching of Psychology, 41(2), 167-174.

Lloyd SA, Oltean C*, Pass H*, Phillips B*, Staton K*, Robertson CL, Shanks RA (2013). Prenatal exposure to psychostimulants increases impulsivity, compulsivity, and motivation for rewards in adult mice. Physiology & Behavior, 119, 43-51.

LaComba C*, Shanks RA, Lloyd SA (2013). An infrasonic missing fundamental rises at 18.5Hz. Papers and Publications: Interdisciplinary Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2(1): Article 11.

Shanks RA, Anderson JR*, Taylor JR*, Lloyd SA (2012). Amphetamine and methamphetamine have a direct and differential effect on BV-2 microglia cells. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 154(2): 228-232.

Shanks RA, Southard EM*, Tarnowski L*, Bruster M*, Wingate SW*, Dalman N, Lloyd SA (2012). A vodcasted, cross-disciplinary, behavioral neuroscience laboratory exercise investigating the effects of methamphetamine on aggression. Bioscene, 37(2): 10-17.

Elliott MR*, Shanks RA, Khan IU, Brooks JW, Burkett PJ*, Nelson BJ, Kyttaris V, Juang YT, Tsokos GC, Kammer GM (2004).  Down-regulation of IL-2 production in T lymphocytes by phosphorylated protein kinase A-RIIbeta.  Journal of Immunology Jun 15;172(12):7804-12.

Larocca MC, Shanks RA, Tian L, Nelson DL, Stewart DM, Goldenring JR (2004). AKAP350 interaction with cdc42 interacting protein 4 at the Golgi apparatus. Molecular Biology of the Cell Jun;15(6):2771-81.

Shanks RA, Steadman BT, Schmidt PH, Goldenring JR (2002). AKAP350 at the Golgi apparatus. I. Identification of a distinct Golgi apparatus targeting motif in AKAP350. Journal of Biological Chemistry Oct 25;277(43):40967-72.

Shanks RA, Larocca MC, Berryman M, Edwards JC, Urushidani T, Navarre J, Goldenring JR (2002). AKAP350 at the Golgi apparatus. II. Association of AKAP350 with a novel chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) family member.  Journal of Biological Chemistry Oct 25;277(43):40973-80.

Steadman BT, Schmidt PH, Shanks RA, Lapierre LA, Goldenring JR (2002). Transforming acidic coiled-coil containing protein 4 interacts with centrosomal AKAP350 and the mitotic spindle apparatus. Journal of Biological Chemistry Aug 16;277(33):30165-76.

Carlson CC, Burnham LL, Shanks RA, Dransfield DT (2001). 8-Cl-adenosine induces differentiation in LS174T cells. Digestive Diseases and Sciences Apr;46(4):757-64.

Kanak A, Berry S*, and Shanks RA. (2023) Characterization and Expression of Novel Mycobacteriophage XianYue Genome. Papers and Pubs.

Pearson L*, Meewes C*, Spencer S*, Ayala A*, Bailey B, Barding EE, Shanks R, Smith M. (2024) An Addition to the Toolkit: An Ethogram for Trichoplusia ni. eBIO.

*Denotes undergraduate student

Work Experience

  • Professor of Biology, University of North Georgia
  • Associate Professor of Biology, University of North Georgia
  • Assistant Professor of Biology, North Georgia College and State University
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Baylor College of Medicine
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center