Garrett Milliken

Associate Professor of Psychology and Department Chair

Education

Ph.D., University of Memphis

B.A., Ohio University

Research Interests

I am a comparative psychologist trained in systems neuroscience. My areas of interest are the evolution of brain and behavior and center on aspects related to plasticity in biologic systems.  I have done work in motor systems on use-dependent changes in motor learning and recovery of function after brain injury. I have also explored comparative aspects of primate behavior including behavioral lateralization, hand structure and manipulative ability.  My present interests involve neuroanatomic studies of the amphibian brain as it develops to support metamorphic changes.

Courses Taught

  • PSYC 214: Behavioral Neuroscience
  • PSYC 216: Sensation and Perception
  • PSYC 318: Comparative Animal Psychology
  • PSYC 394: History and Systems of Psychology

Selected Publications

Milliken, G.W., J.P. Ward, C.J. Erickson (1991). Independent digit control in foraging by the aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis).  Folia Primatologica, 56, 219-224.

Milliken, G.W., D.K. Stafford, D.L. Dodson, C.D. Pinger, & J.P. Ward (1991).  Analyses of feeding lateralization in the small-eared bushbaby (Otolemur garnettii): A comparison with the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta).  Journal of Comparative Psychology, 105, 274-285.

Milliken, G.W. (1995).  Right hand preference and performance biases in the foraging behavior of the aye-aye.  In L. Alterman, G.A. Doyle & M.K. Izard (eds). Creatures of the Dark: The Nocturnal Prosimians (pp. 261-292).  New York: Plenum Press.

Nudo, R.J., B. Wise, F. SiFuentes, & G.W. Milliken (1996).  Neural substrates for the effects of rehabilitative training on motor recovery after ischemic infarct.  Science, 272, 1791-1794.

Milliken, G.W., D.S. Stokic, & I.M. Tarkka (1999).  Sources of movement-related cortical potentials derived from foot, finger, and mouth movements. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology, 16, 361-372.

Milliken, G.W., K.S. Kraiter, G. Ferra & C.L. Ross (2005). Reach and posture hand preferences during arboreal feeding in sifakas: A test of the postural origins theory of behavioral lateralization.  Journal of Comparative Psychology, 119, 430-439.

Milliken, G.W., E.J. Plautz & R.J. Nudo (2013). Distal forelimb representations in primary motor cortex are redistributed after forelimb restriction: a longitudinal study in adult squirrel monkeys.  Journal of Neurophysiology, 109, 1268-1282; published online ahead of print December 12, 2012. DOI:10.1152/jn.00044.2012

Milliken, G.W. (2017). Laterality (Handedness). In: J. Vonk, & T.K. Shackelford (eds). Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition & Behavior. Springer-Verlag: NY. DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_442-1