Department of Animal Science

Faculty

	Joan E. Cunnick Associate Professor of Animal Science Iowa State University 384 Science I Ames IA 50011-3211 Phone: 515-294-2070 Fax: 515-294-6019 Email: jcunnick@iastate.edu
Education Doctor of Philosophy, Kansas State University: 1987 Bachelor of Arts, McPherson College, McPherson KS: 1979 (magna cum laude)
Awards 2005: Award for Excellence in Honors Teaching (ISU University Honors Committee)
Instruction Dr. Cunnick teaches classes for undergraduates in Laboratory Modules, Orientation in Microbiology, and undergraduate and graduate courses in Immunology and Microbial Infection and Immunity.
Research Dr. Cunnick's research is in the field of psychoneuroimmunology and is directed toward understanding how various stressors (physical, psychological and interoceptive) affect the immune system. Dr. Cunnick's research includes: characterization of acute and chronic stress-effects on cellular immune function and examination of the neural and hormonal mechanisms modulating stress-induced changes in immune function. Additionally, research is being conducted on 1) an animal model (domestic fowl) of fetal-drug abuse and its impact on immune function and responses to stress and 2) biological activators of natural killer cell activity in immunosuppressed and untreated rats and 3) in vitro study of NK activity using human PBL and a human NK cell line, 4) immunotherapy in canine cancer.
Professional Affiliations Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society.
Selected Publications Chou, S.H., Kojic, L, Cunnick, J. E. Characterization of the effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose on the immune system. Brain Behavior Immunity 10, 399-416, 1996. Chou, S.H., Kojic, L, Cunnick, J. E. Evidence for the involvement of catecholamine in the 2-DG-induced immunomodulatory effects in spleen. Brain Behavior Immunity 11, 79-93, 1997. Zhang Y, Song TT, Cunnick JE, Murphy PA, Hendrich S. Daidzein and genistein glucuronides in vitro are weakly estrogenic and activate human natural killer cells at nutritionally relevant concentrations. Jr of Nutrition: 129(2):399-405; 1999. Sonea I.M., Harkins K., Wannemuehler M.J., Jergens A.E., Merten E, A., Sacco R. E., Cunnick J. E..Flow cytometric analysis of canine colonic mucosal lymphocytes from endoscopically obtained biopsy specimens. American Jr of Veterinary Research: 60(3):346-53; 1999.