Jessica Whitaker-Fornek, PhD

Jessica Whitaker-Fornek
Jessica Whitaker-Fornek, PhDMarquette University

Cramer Hall, 215J

MilwaukeeWI53201United States of America
Curriculum Vitae

Assistant Professor

Exercise Science

Jessica earned a BS in Zoology at Southern Illinois University. She then pursued a MS in Physiology in the laboratory of Dr. Andy Sharp. During this time, Jessica studied the neuromuscular control of leg kicking in baby bird embryos. After realizing her interest in the development of rhythmic movement behavior, she pursued a Ph. D. in Biological Sciences at Idaho State University in the laboratory of Dr. Jason Pilarski. Jessica’s research examined the neural control of breathing in bird embryos and how metabolic cues like pH regulate central breathing rhythm circuits.

In 2021, she began her post-doctoral research at the University of Florida with Dr. Erica Levitt to study breathing control in mammals using brain slice electrophysiology and whole-body breathing measurements. In 2022, Jessica moved with the Levitt Lab to the University of Michigan where she began new projects aimed at understanding the role of neuropeptides in breathing development (K99/R00 Pathway to Independence award from NHLBI) and mechanisms of breathing dysfunction in Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (2025-2026 CCHS Network Grant Award).

She joined the faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy as an Assistant Professor in 2026. Dr. Whitaker-Fornek’s research seeks to understand how breathing is controlled and regulated during development in the context of premature birth, genetic disorders and other challenges occurring during early life. The Whitaker-Fornek lab will achieve these goals by performing experiments at three different levels: 1) whole animal level: via whole-animal breathing measurements, 2) circuit level: via the in situ working heart brainstem and 3) cellular level: using brain slice electrophysiology.

Education

  • Ph.D., Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, 2020
  • M.S., Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 2014
  • B.S., Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 2010

Courses Taught

  • EXPH 2045: Principles of Human Physiology
  • EXPH 2046: Principles of Human Physiology Laboratory

Professional Affiliations

  • American Physiological Society
  • International Narcotics Research Conference
  • Winter Conference on Brain Research