Email khillman@psy.otago.ac.nz
Tel 64 3 470 3473
Dr Kristin Hillman’s current research examines the neural mechanisms of decision-making, particularly how the brain assesses and implements effort expenditure in cost-benefit type decisions. Her interests include the neurophysiology underlying executive function, ambitious behaviour and work ethic, with applications to behaviour modification and psychopharmacology.
She has taught undergraduate courses in physiology and neuroscience, and currently teaches PSYC 323: Sensation and Perception and PSYC 476: Drugs and Behaviour.
Kristin joined the department in 2008 as a postdoctoral fellow, making the shift from in vitro neuropharmacology research in the United States to in vivo cognitive neuroscience here in NZ. She has had a lecturer’s position since 2011.
Teaching
Research Interests
- Neural mechanisms of decision-making
- Neurophysiology underlying executive function
- Ambitious behaviour and work ethic
- Behaviour modification and psychopharmacology
Find out more about Dr Hillman's research interests
Publications
Hillman, K. L., & Bilkey, D. K. (2012). Neural encoding of competitive effort in the anterior cingulate cortex. Nature Neuroscience, 15(9), 1290-1298. doi: 10.1038/nn.3187
Hillman, K. L., & Bilkey, D. K. (2010). Neurons in the rat anterior cingulate cortex dynamically encode cost-benefit in a spatial decision-making task. Journal of Neuroscience, 30(22), 7705-7713. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1273-10.2010
Laurence, N. C., Labuschagne, L. G., Lura, B. G., & Hillman, K. L. (2015). Regular exercise enhances task-based industriousness in laboratory rats. PLoS ONE, 10(6), e0129831. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129831
Hillman, K. L. (2013). Cost-benefit analysis: The first real rule of fight club? Frontiers in Neuroscience, 7, 248. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2013.00248
Hillman, K. L., Lei, S., Doze, V. A., & Porter, J. E. (2009). Alpha-1A adrenergic receptor activation increases inhibitory tone in CA1 hippocampus. Epilepsy Research, 84, 97-109. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2008.12.007
Journal - Research Article
Laurence, N. C., Labuschagne, L. G., Lura, B. G., & Hillman, K. L. (2015). Regular exercise enhances task-based industriousness in laboratory rats. PLoS ONE, 10(6), e0129831. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129831
Hillman, K. L. (2013). Cost-benefit analysis: The first real rule of fight club? Frontiers in Neuroscience, 7, 248. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2013.00248
Hillman, K. L., & Bilkey, D. K. (2012). Neural encoding of competitive effort in the anterior cingulate cortex. Nature Neuroscience, 15(9), 1290-1298. doi: 10.1038/nn.3187
Hillman, K. L., & Bilkey, D. K. (2010). Neurons in the rat anterior cingulate cortex dynamically encode cost-benefit in a spatial decision-making task. Journal of Neuroscience, 30(22), 7705-7713. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1273-10.2010
Hillman, K. L., Lei, S., Doze, V. A., & Porter, J. E. (2009). Alpha-1A adrenergic receptor activation increases inhibitory tone in CA1 hippocampus. Epilepsy Research, 84, 97-109. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2008.12.007
Hillman, K. L., Doze, V. A., & Porter, J. E. (2007). α1A-Adrenergic receptors are functionally expressed by a subpopulation of cornu ammonis 1 interneurons in rat hippocampus. Journal of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, 321, 1062-1068. doi: 10.1124/jpet.106.119297
Jurgens, C. W. D., Hammad, H. M., Lichter, J. A., Boese, S. J., Nelson, B. W., Goldstein, B. L., … Hillman, K. L., … Doze, V. A. (2007). α2A adrenergic receptor activation inhibits epileptiform activity in the rat hippocamal CA3 region. Molecular Pharmacology, 71(6), 1572-1581. doi: 10.1124/mol.106.031773
Journal - Research Other
Hillman, K. L., & Bilkey, D. K. (2013). Persisting through subjective effort: A key role for the anterior cingulate cortex? Behavioral & Brain Sciences, 36(6), 691-692. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X13001039
