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 I also maintain a longstanding interest in avian reproductive endocrinology and behaviour, with my most recent (unpublished) work in this area concerned with sublethal effects of pesticides on Australian vertebrates.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.