Thank you for visiting my website! My name is Lynea Witczak Oldfather (she/her/hers). I’m a Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholar studying pair bonding in monogamous sleepy lizards (Tiliqua rugosa) with Professor Michael Gardner at Flinders University.

I completed my Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of California, Davis and am excited to start my postdoc in Adelaide, Australia.

I was a graduate student in Dr. Karen Bales’ Laboratory for Comparative Neurobiology of Monogamy. I am broadly interested in the mechanisms driving monogamy. For my dissertation, I investigated the effects of father-daughter relationship quality, oxytocin, and arginine-vasopressin on stress and pair bonding in female coppery titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus). I am excited to continue studying mechanisms driving pair bonding in a monogamous reptile as a postdoctoral scholar.

Research

I utilize behavioral neuroendocrinology techniques to determine the physiological and neural mechanisms underlying pair bonding. I collaborate with graduate and undergraduate student researchers to collect and analyze behavioral, endocrinological, and neuroimaging data. I also use growth curve modeling and multilevel modeling to analyze longitudinal patterns of attachment relationships.

Teaching

I am passionate about teaching and creating inclusive, equitable learning spaces. I was an Associate Instructor for Introduction to Biological Psychology for three quarters. I created an online asynchronous course on developing classroom mentorship, inclusivity, and engagement. I also worked as a Teaching Assistant for eleven different courses, including hybrid courses, laboratory courses, and writing courses.

Academic Service

As the co-President of the Psychology Graduate Student Association, I organized fundraising, advertising, abstract submissions evaluations, speakers, caterers, and scheduling for the Psychology Department Spring Conference for two years. I also worked with the Psychology department to coordinate recruitment day activities for prospective graduate students for four years. I also served as Graduate Student Representative and attended all Psychology department Executive Committee meetings and Graduate Student Association meetings to serve as a voice for graduate students and disseminate information.

In addition to gaining invaluable research experiences and connections, the Fulbright allows me to immerse myself in a new culture and learn how communities and universities ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are celebrated and supported. I am eager to learn how to be more inclusive of students who have historically been excluded from academia due to systemic barriers.