susan greene

Susan Greene, Ph. D

Assistant Professor Psychology Office Location: AD 367
I have always retained an interest in Psychology and am happy I was able to pursue this degree in both my undergraduate education and graduate school. My interests are primarily in studying negative drug side-effects at varying doses using either mouse, rat, or fish models. I primarily focus on fish models and the impacts of various drugs on aggression and courting in Betta splendens.  
  • Ph.D. University of Montana 
  • MA University of Montana 
  • B.A. Millersville University 
  • 2022- Ongoing    Assistant Professor- University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio.  
  • 2020-2022           Postdoctoral Researcher- Physiology, U. Texas Health Science Center, SA. 
  • 2017-2020           Teaching Assistant- Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana. 
  • 2016-2017           Research Assistant- Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana. 
  • 2015-2016           Teaching Assistant- Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana.  

  • Publications:

    • Steckley, N., Thatcher, A., Greene, S. M., Warner, H., Kuehn, K., Insel, N. (in press, 2024). Together again but no need to play: Dissociating effects of isolation and separation on social interaction in female rats (Rattus norvegicus). Journal of comparative psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983), 10 (1037). 
    • Greene, S., Klein, P., Alcala, G., Bustamante, I., Bordas, B., Johnson, A., Vu, V., Uhm, S. Y., & Gould, G. G. (2023). Aging to 24 months increased C57BL/6J mouse social sniffing and hippocampal Neto1 levels, and impaired female spatial learning B. ehavioral Processes, 211, 104929. 
    • Greene, S., & Szalda-Petree, A. D. (2022). Fins of Fury or Fainéant. Fluoxetine impacts the aggressive behavior of fighting fish (Betta splendens). Behavioral Processes. 
    • Greene, S., Sanchez, Y. R., Pathapati, N., Davis, G. N., & Gould, G. G. (2021). Assessment of autism-relevant behaviors in C57BKS/J leptin receptor deficient mice. Hormones and Behavior, 129. 
    • Seekins, T., Wong, J., Yearous, L., Smith, A., Graham, J., Ravesloot, C., Deschamps, T., Knapp, J., Ruggiero, C.,Boehm, H., Green, S., & Long, R. (2020). Helping Patients Living in Rural Areas Transition from Hospital to Home--The ROADMAP Study. A rticles, Abstracts, and Reports.. 
    • Eisenreich, B. R., Greene, S. M., & Szalda-Petree, A. D. (2017). Of fish and mirrors: Fluoxetine disrupts aggression and learning for social rewards. Physiology and Behavior, 173, 258-262.

  •  Presentations:

    • International 

    • Schultz, J., Rieder, K., Shakocius, A., Johnson, J., Steward, L., Windscheffel, A., Perez, P., Stewart, P. B., Johnson, 
    • A., Greene, S. M., & Gould, G. G. (2025, November). Dietary fat effects on social and cognitive traits of serotonin transporter knock-out mice. Society of Neuroscience, San Diego, California. 
    • Greene, S., Alcala, G., Ontanon, A., Shakocius, A., Park, I., Reed, E., Johnson, A., Bustamante, I., Schillerstrom, M., Ginsburg B. C., Gould, G. G. (2023, November). Amantadine Has Efficacy to Reduce Restrictive-Repetitive Behavior in BTBR Mice. Society for Neuroscience, DC, Washington. 
    • Greene, S., Bordas, B., Alcala, G., Sanchez, Y. R., Penta, M. K., Honan, L.E., Gomez, J,A,. Ginsburg, B.C., Daws, L. & 
    • Gould, G.G. (2022). Expression of Key Modulators of Serotonergic Neurotransmission after Chronic Metformin Treatment. Experimental Biology, Philadephia, Pennsylvania. Greene, S., Alcala, G., Bustamante, I., Bordas, B., Johnson, A., Gould, G.G. (2022). Water T-maze spatial learning test to assess cognitive flexibility in aged mice. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, California. 
    • Greene, S., Bordas, B., Jimenez, P., Daws, L., & Gould, G. G. (2021). Therapeutic Potential of Metformin to Ameliorate Behavioral Symptoms of Autism. Experimental Biology, Virtual, Illinois. 
    • Greene, S., Bordas, B., G, A., Jimenez, P., Sanchez, Y. R., Penta, M.K., Daws, L., & Gould, G.G. (2021). Chronic 
    • metformin treatment effects on steroid hormones and behaviors relevant to autism. Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, Illinois.  

    • Local

    • Shakocius, A. (2025, November). Amantadine Has Efficacy to Reduce a Mouse Restricted-Repetitive Behavior Parallel 
    • of Autism. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS), San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Mohloane, L., Ramirez Gonzalez, D., Khwaja, Z. S., & Greene, S. M. (2025, May). What's in a Tail: Characterizing Aggressive Responding as it Relates to Phenotype in Betta splendens. Viva Science SA, San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Torabi, N., Guillen, K., & Greene, S. M. (2025, May). Do Opposites Attract: Determining the Effect of Size, Color, and Tail Type on Betta splendens Courting Behaviors. Viva Science SA, San Antonio, Texas.  
    • Mohloane, L., Ramirez Gonzalez, D., Khwaja, Z. S., & Greene, S. M. (2025, April). What's in a Tail: Characterizing Aggressive Responding as it Relates to Phenotype in Betta splendens. Excellence Submit UIW, San Antonio, Texas.  
    • Torabi, N., Guillen, K., & Greene, S. M. (2025, April). Do Opposites Attract: Determining the Effect of Size, Color, and Tail Type on Betta splendens Courting Behaviors. Excellence Submit UIW, San Antonio, Texas.  
    • Greene, S. M., Alcala, G., Ontanon, A., Shakocius, A., Park, I., Reed, E., Johnson, A., Bustamante, I., Schillerstrom, M., Ginsburg B. C., Gould, G. G. (2024). Amantadine Has Efficacy to Reduce Restrictive-Repetitive Behavior in BTBR 
    • Mice. Viva Science SA, San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Greene, S. M., Alcala, G., Ontanon, A., Shakocius, A., Park, I., Reed, E., Johnson, A., Bustamante, I., Schillerstrom, 
    • M., Ginsburg B. C., Gould, G. G. (2024). Amantadine Has Efficacy to Reduce Restrictive-Repetitive Behavior in BTBR Mice. University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas.  
    • Greene, S., Alcala, G., Bustamante, I., Johnson, A., & Gould, G. G. (2023, April). Water T-maze spatial learning test to assess cognitive flexibility in aged mice. University of the Incarnate Word Research Week, San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Alcala, G., Greene, S. M., Bordas, B., & Gould, G. G. (2022). Water T-Maze Spatial Learning Test to Assess Cognitive Flexibility in Aged Mice. Center for Biomedical Neuroscience Retreat, San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Alcala, G., Greene, S. M., Bordas, B., & Gould, G. G. (2022). Water T-Maze Spatial Learning Test to Assess Cognitive Flexibility in Aged Mice. Cellular and Integrative Physiology Research Day, San Antonio, Texas.  
    • Greene, S., Bordas, B., Alcala, G., Sanchez, Y. R., Penta, M. K., Honan, L.E., Gomez, J,A,. Ginsburg, B.C., Daws, L. & Gould, G.G (2022). Expression of Key Modulators of Serotonergic Neurotransmission after Chronic Metformin 
    • Treatment. Long School of Medicine Research Symposium, San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Greene, S., Bordas, B., Alcala, G., Sanchez, Y. R., Penta, M. K., Honan, L.E., Gomez, J,A,. Ginsburg, B.C., Daws, L. & Gould, G.G (2022). Expression of Key Modulators of Serotonergic Neurotransmission after Chronic Metformin 
    • Treatment. Cellular and Integrative Physiology Research Day, San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Greene, S., Bordas, B., Alcala, G., Sanchez, Y. R., Penta, M. K., Honan, L.E., Gomez, J,A,. Ginsburg, B.C., Daws, L. & Gould, G.G (2022). Expression of Key Modulators of Serotonergic Neurotransmission after Chronic Metformin Treatment. Center for Biomedical Neuroscience Retreat, San Antonio, Texas.  
    • Greene, S., Bordas, B., Alcala, G., Penta, M., Honan, L. E., Gomez, J,A,. Ginsburg, B.C., Daws, L. & Gould, G.G 
    • (2021). Does Chronic Metformin Enhance Social Interaction Preference via Melanocortin Receptor-Mediated Steroid Hormone Inhibition? San Antonio Postdoctoral Research Forum, San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Greene, S., Sanchez, Y. R., Pathapati, N., Davis, G. N., & Gould, G. G. (2021). Autism Like Behaviors in Offspring of 
    • Leptin Receptor Deficient Mouse Model of Gestational Diabetes. Cellular and Integrative Physiology Department Conference, San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Greene, S., Bordas, B., Jimenez, P., Daws, L., & Gould, G. G. (2021). Therapeutic Potential of Metformin to Ameliorate 
    • Behavioral Symptoms of Autism. Center for Biomedical Neuroscience Department Conference, San Antonio, Texas.  
    • Greene, S., Bordas, B., Jimenez, P., Daws, L., & Gould, G. G. (2021). Therapeutic Potential of Metformin to Ameliorate 
    • Behavioral Symptoms of Autism. The Robert A Clark Foundation Research Day, San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Greene, S., Bordas, B., Jimenez, P., Daws, L., & Gould, G. G. (2021). Therapeutic Potential of Metformin to Ameliorate 
    • Behavioral Symptoms of Autism. Long School of Medicine Research Day, San Antonio, Texas.  
    • Greene, S., Sanchez, Y. R., Pathapati, N., Davis, G. N., & Gould, G. G. (2020). Autism Like Behaviors in Offspring of 
    • Leptin Receptor Deficient Mouse Model of Gestational Diabetes. San Antonio Postdoctoral Research Forum, San Antonio, Texas. 
    • Greene, S. & Szalda-Petree, A. (2020). Fish on Fluoxetine: Before, during, and after. University of Montana Graduate 
    • Conference, Missoula, Montana. 
    • Greene, S. & Szalda-Petree, A. (2018). The effect of female priming on male Betta splendens. University of Montana 
    • Graduate Conference, Missoula, Montana. 

    • National 

    • Greene, S. (2025, August). Aging to 24 months increased C57BL/6J mouse social sniffing and hippocampal Neto1 
    • levels, and impaired female spatial learning . American Psychological Association, Denver, Colorado. 
    • Greene, S., Alcala, G., Ontanon, A., Shakocius, A., Park, I., Reed, E., Johnson, A., Bustamante, I., Schillerstrom, M., 
    • Ginsburg B. C., Gould, G. G. (2025, April). Amantadine Has Efficacy to Reduce Restrictive-Repetitive Behavior in BTBR 
    • Mice. American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), Portland, Oregon. 
    • Alcala, G., Gould, G. G., Greene, S. M., Bordas, B., Penta, M. K., Jimenez, P., Sanchez, Y.R. & L. Daws. (2021). 
    • Effects of Chronic Metformin on Hormone Levels and Social Behaviors in Mice. Annual Biomedical Research 
    • Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Unknown, Virtual. 

    • Regional 

    • Greene, S. M., Alcala, G., Ontanon, A., Shakocius, A., Park, I., Reed, E., Johnson, A., Bustamante, I., Schillerstrom, 
    • M., Ginsburg B. C., Gould, G. G. (2024). Amantadine Has Efficacy to Reduce Restrictive-Repetitive Behavior in BTBR 
    • Mice. Southwestern Psychological Association, San Antonio, Texas. 

    • State 

    • Greene, S., Sanchez, Y. R., Pathapati, N., Davis, G. N., & Gould, G. G. (2020). Autism Like Behaviors in Offspring of 
    • Leptin Receptor Deficient Mouse Model of Gestational Diabetes. Society of Neuroscience Across Texas, Virtual, Texas. 
  • Society for Neuroscience (SfN) 
  • American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) 
  • Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA) 
  • Painting and Crafting  
  • Hiking  

Awards 

  • 2025: Brenda A Milner Award, APA. 
  • 2023 – 2025: Faculty Development Funds Award, UIW CHASS Faculty Development Funds. 
  • 2022: General Travel Award, ASPET. 
  • 2021: 2nd Prize, Long School of Medicine Research Day. 
  • 2020: Cardiovascular Training in Texas NIH Fellowship, NIH. 

 

Honor 

  • 2021: Finalist for Postdoctoral Competition, ASPET.
My research focuses on the serotonin system and its wide range of impact on social behavior and a variety of different human disorders. Past projects I have worked on during graduate school focused on selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and their effects on social dominance and courting behavior. As a Postdoc, I focused on developmental disorders with abnormalities associated with the serotonin system and finding comprehensive drug therapies to ameliorate core symptoms of disorders like autism. I used a behavioral and physiological approach to study the efficacy of a variety of different pharmaceutical therapies with current projects focusing on metformin as a treatment to counteract autism behavioral deficits by increasing serotonin levels in the brain and decreasing androgen hormones in the blood. Future projects in this area I have underway include expanding on current projects by investigating other mechanisms of action for metformin in the brain and other therapeutic treatments for both developmental and mood disorders. I plan to use various animal models, such as mice, fish, and rats to gain a better understanding of the mechanism of action and effects on the body and brain and how they may vary across species.  
  • Research Methods 1 
  • Comparative Psychology/ Animal Behavior and Cognition 
  • Statistics Laboratory 
  • Introduction to Learning and Memory/ Learning and Behavior 
  • Introduction to Psychology 
  • Behavior and Biology 
  • Research Continuum 
  • Physiological Psychology