Associate Professor Lee B. Astheimer

PhD University of California , Davis CA 1984
NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Washington, Seattle,
WA USA 1989-91

Teaching:

• Human Physiology, Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Research Interests:

I conduct research in the broad area of comparative physiology and endocrinology. My students and I have been investigating the bioavailability and physiological impacts of phytoestrogens and other dietary antioxidants in humans. I also maintain a longstanding interest in avian reproductive endocrinology and behaviour, with my most recent (unpublished) work in this area concerned with sublethal effects of pesticides on Australian vertebrates.

Professional Affiliations:

• Smart Foods Key Centre UoW
• Nutrition Society of Australia
• Institute for Conservation Biology UoW
• Society for Comparative and Integrative Biology
• Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
• Australian Society for Ecotoxicology
• Royal Australasian Ornithological Society
• North American Ornithological Society

Publications:

Ridges, L, Sunderland, R., Moerman, K., Astheimer, L., Meyer, B., & Howe, P. 2001. Phytoestrogens from soy and linseed containing foods improve plasma lipids in postmenopausal women. Asia Pacific J. Clin. Nutrition 10:204-212.

Larkin, T., L Astheimer & W.E. Price. 2001. Health Benefits of Dietary Phytoestrogens. Agro Food Industry HiTech. 12: 19-21.

Astheimer, L.B., W.A. Buttemer, & J. C. Wingfield. 2000. Corticosterone treatment has no effect on reproductive hormones or aggressive behavior in free-living male tree sparrows, Spizella aroborea. Hormones & Behavior. 37:31-39.

Peters, A., Astheimer, L.B., Boland, C.R. & A. Cockburn. 2000 Testosterone is involved in acquisition and maintenance of sexually selected male plumage in superb fairy wrens, Malurus cyanus. Behavioural Ecol & Sociobiol. 47:438-445.

Astheimer, L.B. and W.A. Buttemer. 1999. Gonadal and hormonal patterns in the annual cycle of an Australian Honeyeater. In: Adams, N.J. & Slotow, R.H. (eds) Proc. 22 Int. Ornithol. Congr., Durban: Johannesburg: Birdlife South Africa. pp. 1768-1783.