Last Updated  11/12/2009

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Curriculum Vitae

David Wayne Pittman, Ph.D.

• Office Address

  • Department of Psychology
    Wofford College
    429 N. Church St.
    Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663
    
    (864) 597 - 4644
    
    e-mail: pittmandw@wofford.edu

   

• Education

  • Ph.D. (Neuroscience), The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL  [August 2001]

  • MS (Psychology), The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL  [April 1997]

  • BS (Psychology), Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC  [May 1994]

   

• Experience

  • Associate Professor (Psychology), Wofford College [2006-present]

  • Assistant Professor (Psychology), Wofford College [2001-2006]

  • Instructor of Record (Psychology), The Florida State University  [1999-2000]

   

• Teaching Interests

  • Personal Statement

    • As the sole professor responsible for teaching the physiologically-based courses in the psychology department at Wofford College, I strive to provide each psychology major with a basic, foundational understanding of the principles of neuroscience, control of behavior by the nervous system, and the influence of environment and genetics on the nervous system. 

    • The psychology major requires two neuroscience courses.  In the first required course, Biological Psychology (PSY230), students learn the basic principles of neuroscience with specific attention to neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and systems-level analysis of the control of behavior.  In the second required course, Sensation & Perception (PSY210), students learn how physical stimuli in the environment are transduced into neural signals, then how the neural activity is processed and transmitted to the brain, and finally how neuron activation in the brain is processed and interpreted as our individualistic perceptions.  The focus of this course is on these basic neural processes using the sensory systems as exemplars in the discussion of the influence of the environment on behavior and cognitive processing.

    • In addition to providing a sound foundation in the understanding of neuroscience for all psychology majors, I offer advanced lecture / laboratory and seminar elective courses that provide an in-depth analysis of neuroscience principles using a systems-level approach and incorporating discussions of the latest primary research. 

    • I also serve as a research mentor in the capacity of supervising senior research theses and independent projects in my laboratory.  While conducting research in my laboratory, students learn the background information pertinent to the study through a primary literature analysis.  With my consultation, students aid in the design of experiments and then are responsible for the data collection, analysis, and written & oral presentations of the results.  Since 2002, I have supervised 35 students conducting senior research theses and an additional 13 students conducting independent research in my laboratory.

  • Annual Course Offerings  

    • PSY230 - Biological Psychology (4 credits)

      • This lecture / laboratory course is required of all psychological majors.  It is a systems-based survey course covering neuroanatomy, neural signaling, an introduction to the sensory systems, homeostatic regulatory systems (thermoregulation, circadian rhythms, glucose homeostasis, fluid balance), physiological basis of learning and memory, and the physiological basis of psychological disorders (addiction, anxiety, ADD, autism, depression, neurodegenerative diseases, schizophrenia). 

      • The accompanying laboratory section includes detailed sheep brain neuroanatomy and empirical experiments using electromyogram, electrooculogram, polygraph (galvanic skin response, heart rate, and respiration), and electroencephalogram physiological recordings.

      • Average teaching evaluation score: 3.7 / 4.0

    • PSY210 - Sensation & Perception (4 credits)

      • This lecture / laboratory course is required of all psychology majors.  It is an in-depth exploration of the neurology underlying the senses (vision, audition, vestibular, gustation, olfaction, and somatosensory) and the relationship between neural sensations and cognitive perceptions.

      • The accompanying laboratory section includes an electroretinogram recording of dark adaptation in the cricket eye and  empirical experiments using a variety of psychophysical methodology in order to characterize the human detection and discrimination thresholds for trichromatic dark adaptation, trichromatic color discrimination, spectral auditory threshold, discrimination of interaural time differences, the relationship between PROP taste sensitivity and taste bud morphology,  the role of olfaction in flavor perception, and thermal detection thresholds.

      • Average teaching evaluation score: 3.5 / 4.0

    • PSY330 - Behavioral Neuroscience (4 credits)

      • This lecture / laboratory course is an approved elective for psychology majors and a require course for the Program in Neuroscience.  It is an in-depth systems-based analysis of neurological and psychological disorders.  In addition to lectures, there is weekly discussions of current, relevant primary literature.

      • The accompanying laboratory section requires that students design and conduct two empirical experiments with human physiological measurements as the dependent variables.  While encouraging student creativity, each experiment has specific requirements of a research proposal, panel research proposal review, statistical data analysis, and formal written report.  In addition to conducting two human experiments, students also manufacture suction electrodes and conduct neural recordings in a crawfish animal model.

      • Average teaching evaluation score: 3.7 / 4.0

    • PSY451 - Senior Research Thesis (4 credits)

      • Each psychology major is required to complete the senior research thesis consisting of two parts.  First, each student must write a comprehensive literature review.  Second, the students in groups of 2-4 work as a research team to conduct an experiment including design, data collection, data analysis, and submission of a formal research publication and oral presentation of the results.

      • Average teaching evaluation score: 3.9 / 4.0

    • NEUS321/2 - Neuroscience Seminar (1 credit)

      • An interdisciplinary seminar meeting 1-hour per week for student-led discussions of current topics in neuroscience through the examination of primary literature at the molecular neurobiology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and behavioral levels.

      • Average teaching evaluation score: 3.9 / 4.0

  • Occasional Course Offerings  

    • PSY104 - Concepts & Methods of Science (4 credits)

      • This lecture / laboratory course fulfills the general education science requirement for BA degree recipients.  This course uses an exploration of human consciousness with specific regard to how our mind perceives the world around us in order to teach the following skills:  basic writing skills (introductory paragraphs, thesis statements, topic sentences, transitions between paragraphs and topics); judging the validity of websites and internet content; employing the scientific method to answer testable hypotheses; and  learning how to read and evaluate scientific reports.

      • Average teaching evaluation score: 3.5 / 4.0

    • PSY110 - Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)

      • This lecture course provides an introductory overview of the fields of psychology including research methods, developmental, social, abnormal, learning, cognitive, and physiological perspectives.

      • Average teaching evaluation score: 3.7 / 4.0

    • PSY351 - Psychopharmacology (3 credits)

      • This lecture course introduces the mechanisms and actions of drug use in the nervous system. Based on current psychological and pharmacological research; the reception mechanism, effect on the nervous system & other physiological systems, behavioral effects, short & long term physiological effects of use, and toxicity is discussed among other relevant topics for the following drug categories: Alcohol, Inhalants, Nicotine, Caffeine, Herbal Drugs, Sedatives, Stimulants, Opiates, Cannabis, Hallucinogens, Entactogens, and Prescription Drugs. Additional course topics will include: basics of the brain and neural activity, basics of drug pharmacology, physiological and psychological basis of addiction, and substance abuse treatments and therapies.

      • Average teaching evaluation score: 3.6 / 4.0

    • NEUS448 - Neuroscience Research Capstone (4 credits)

      • This laboratory-based research course permits students to learn a research technique and obtain training in the use of scientific methodology in the field of neuroscience. Specific course objectives include: hands-on experience in a neuroscience research technique, learning appropriate date collection and analysis techniques, and learning how conclusions based on empirical data are formed and disseminated as research articles.

  • Interim Courses  

    • During the month of January, professors at Wofford College offer a 4hr credit non-traditional course that examines a topic of interest at both academic and experiential levels.

    • A Salty Piece of Land: the History of North Carolina and South Carolina Lighthouses [Interim 2006]

      • Inspired by the best-selling novel, "A Salty Piece of Land" written by Jimmy Buffett, this Interim course explores the history of lighthouses specifically those along the Carolinas shoreline. Students read and discuss Jimmy Buffett's novel as well as a historical texts on the lighthouses of the World.  Students give five presentations of specific lighthouses in addition to writing and presenting a research paper on a specific North Carolina or South Carolina lighthouse. This Interim course includes two field trips to tour lighthouses in North Carolina and South Carolina.

    • Becoming a Successful Caribbean Nation: the culture, politics, and economy of post-colonial Jamaica [Interim 2005]

      • Jamaica has become a successful independent Caribbean nation, in part due to the success of its tourist industry. The journey from a colonial state to the present day was not without political, economic, and cultural struggles. In this course, students examine the political and economic developments from the independence of Jamaica in 1962 to the present day. This course includes a two-week in-country exploration of modern Jamaica. In Montego Bay, students learn about post-colonial plantations, the sugar and rum industry, and the Maroon villages. Students visit the Black River wetlands, Ye Falls, and the cockpit country in appreciation of the culture and ecology found in the Western portion of the island. In Kingston, students examine the impact of Bob Marley on the politics and culture of Jamaica. In addition, students tour the Jamaica National Gallery and explore coffee plantations in the Blue Mountains. Finally from Ocho Rios, students examine the interaction of tourism and ecology through trips to Dunn River Falls, the Rio Grande gorge, the Blue Lagoon, and the birthplace and mausoleum of Bob Marley. Throughout the course, students are collecting research on a specific aspect of post-colonial Jamaica to be included in a written and oral presentation at the conclusion of the course.

    • The Psychology of Songwriting [Interim 2002-2004]

      • In this course, students learn how principles from personality and cognitive psychology can be harnessed in the creative process of songwriting.  Students keep a daily song journal, participate in experimental writing techniques, analyze lyrics from several genres of music, analyze the techniques of famous songwriters, and ultimately composed a collection of their own unique lyrics.  As part of the course, nationally-recognized independent songwriters are brought in as guest lecturers to share their experiences and interact with the students.

  • Guest Lectures

    • Abnormal Psychology, PSY220  [Spring 2006]

    • Does Taste Play a Role in Obesity? Alumni Lecture Series [Fall 2005]

    • Scientific and Literary Perspectives on Madness: Reality’s Dark Dream, HUM101Q/PSY104A  [Fall 2002, Fall 2003, Fall 2004, Fall 2005]

    • The History of the Department of Psychology at Wofford College, Alumni Lecture Series [Fall 2004]

    • The Science of 'Science Fiction' HUM101D/PHY104  [Fall 2003]

    • Current Topics in Biology Seminar, BIO480  [Fall 2002, 2008]

  • Link to course websites

   

• Research Interests

  • Personal Statement

    • Trained as a sensory physiologist specializing in gustation, I have specific skills in the analysis of ingestive behavior. histological labeling of tissue and neural activity, and single-unit and multi- unit electrophysiological recordings in the rodent animal model. 

    • My current research examines the ability of rats to detect free fatty acids through orosensory stimulation during normal ingestive behavior.  Areas of focus include behavioral studies designed to determine the detection threshold, discriminative characteristic, and interactions with other concomitant tastants, nerve transection studies to identify the necessary and sufficient afferent neural pathways involved in the orosensory detection of free fatty acids, and electrophysiological recordings to characterize the afferent neural code produced by orosensory stimulation by free fatty acids.  

  • Directed Student Research Theses

    • Making Healthy Choices: an intervention to improve healthy eating during elementary school lunch service. [Fall 2009]

    • GABAergic Influences Increase Ingestion across All Categories of Tastants. [Fall 2008]

    • Characterization of the afferent gustatory responsiveness of the chorda tympani nerve to tastants with and without linoleic acid in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rat strains.  [Fall 2007 - Spring 2008]

    • Effect of Benzodiazepines on Ingestive Behavior.  [Fall 2007]

    • Differential Sensitivities to Linoleic Acid in Male and Female Rats. [Fall 2006]

    • The Role of the Chorda Tympani Nerve in the Gustatory Detection of Free Fatty Acids. [Fall 2005]

    • The Role of the Chorda Tympani Nerve in the Gustatory Detection of Linoleic Acid. [Fall 2004]

    • Gustatory Detection and Discrimination between Free Fatty Acids in Rats. [Fall 2003]

    • Influence of Linoleic Acid on Human Taste Intensity. [Spring 2003]

    • Taste Modulation by Linoleic Acid in Rats. [Fall 2002]

    • Gustatory detection of linoleic acid by conditioned taste aversion in rats. [Spring 2002]

  • Research Mentoring

    • Does adding the fatty acids, linoleate or oleate, to tastant solutions alter 24-hr consumption patterns? Wofford Community of Scholars [Summer 2009]

    • How water-replete rats respond to different tastes under the influence of benzodiazepines. Wofford Community of Scholars [Summer 2008]

    • How water-deprived rats respond to different tastes under the influence of benzodiazepines. Wofford Community of Scholars [Summer 2008]

    • Influence of a high-fat diet on the detection thresholds for avoiding linoleic acid following a conditioned taste aversion in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats.  [Spring 2008]

    • Influence of benzodiazepines on sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste in obese-prone and obese-resistant rats.  Independent Student Research Project [Spring & Summer 2006]

    • Detection threshold for avoidance of linoleic acid and stimulus generalization to other free fatty acids following a conditioned taste aversion as assessed by short-duration stimulus access in rats. Wofford Community of Scholars [Summer 2006]

    • Detection threshold for avoidance of oleic acid and stimulus generalization to other free fatty acids following a conditioned taste aversion as assessed by short-duration stimulus access in rats. Wofford Community of Scholars [Summer 2006]

    • Modulation of taste intensity by a free fatty acid, oleic acid, in rats: Can dietary fat influence the intensity of other tastes? South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities Research Program [Summer 2004]

    • The role of the chorda tympani nerve in the detection of linoleic acid. South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities Research Program [Summer 2002]

    • The modulation of sweet taste by a free fatty acid (linoleic acid). South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities Research Program [Summer 2002]

    • The role of linoleic acid in the gustatory perception of fat. South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Summer Program for Research Interns [Summer 2002]

  • Link to laboratory website

   

• Awards, Grants, & Fellowships

  • Faculty Research Mentor, Wofford Community of Scholars [06/08-08/08]

    "The effect of a high-fat diet on gustatory responses to fatty acids in obese-prone and obese-resistant rats." Funded $4,000.

  • Faculty Research Mentor, Wofford Community of Scholars [06/06-08/06]

    "The effect of benzodiazepines on afferent taste neural signals in rats." Funded $4,000.

  • Mellon-8 Faculty Partnership Award, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation [01/06-06/07]

    "Effects of brain galanin injections on neurophysiological and behavioral orosensory detection and coding of oral fats." Funded collaboration with Prof. Baird at Amherst College. $3,000.

  • Faculty Summer Research Grant, Wofford College [06/05-08/05]

    “Electrophysiological examination of the chorda tympani nerve responsiveness to free fatty acid stimulation.” Funded $3000.

  • Faculty Summer Research Grant, Wofford College [06/2004-08/2004]

    “Modulation of taste intensity by oleic acid in rats.” Funded $4000

  • Inter-Fraternity Council Faculty Member of the Year, Wofford College [2004]

  • Faculty Summer Research Grant, Wofford College [06/2002-08/2002]

    “Detection of Dietary Fat by the Gustatory System: Behavioral Gustatory Properties of Linoleic Acid.” Funded $3100.

  • Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Program for Instructional Excellence, The Florida State University  [2001]

  • Neuroscience Fellowship, Bryan Robinson Memorial Endowment for the Neurosciences  [06/2000-06/2001]

  • Neuroscience Achievement Award, Bryan Robinson Memorial Endowment for the Neurosciences  [06/1999-06/2000]

  • Neuroscience Fellowship, The Florida State University  [06/99-06/01]

  • Neuroscience Achievement Award, Bryan Robinson Memorial Endowment for the Neurosciences  [06/1998-06/1999]

  • Graduate Fellowship, N.I.H. Chemical Senses Training Grant, The Florida State University  [08/1995-06/1999]

  • Academic Major Award (psychology), Wofford College  [1994]

   

• Academic Service

  • Program Coordinator, Program in Neuroscience, Wofford College  [2004 – present]

  • Faculty Advisor, Psychology Kingdom Student Organization, Wofford College  [2002 – present]

  • Faculty Advisor, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Wofford College  [2002 – present]

  • Chair, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Wofford College  [2002 - present]

  • Member, Spartanburg County Childhood Obesity Task Force  [2009-present]

  • Guest Lecturer, Spartanburg Citizen Scholars Camp  [June 2009]

  • Chair, ad-hoc Alcohol and Drug Policy Committee, Wofford College [2005, 2007, 2009]

  • Faculty Representative, Board of Trustees Information Technology Committee, Wofford College  [2006 – 2008]

  • Member, Information Technology Advisory Committee  [2003 – 2008]

  • Chair, ad-hoc NCAA Governance & Rules Compliance Committee, Wofford College [2006-2007]

  • Chair, Information Technology Advisory Committee, Wofford College  [2005 – 2006]

  • Member, ad-hoc General Education Program and Requirements Task Force, Wofford College  [2004]

  • Guest Lecturer, Spartanburg Citizen Scholars Camp  [June 2004]

  • Member, ad-hoc Alcohol and Drug Policy Committee, Wofford College [2003]

  • Judge Captain, Piedmont Region III Science Fair, [2003, 2005-2007]

  • Judge, Spartanburg Public School Science Fair, [2002, 2004-2005, 2007]

  • College Representative, Third Annual Institute on Learning Communities, Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA  [2003]

  • Your Brain & You, Brain awareness presentation for preschool and elementary-school aged children. [2007, 2009]

  • The Adolescent Brain, Brain awareness presentation for parents of adolescents. [2008]

   

• Membership in Professional Organizations

  • AChemS, Association for Chemoreception Sciences  [1995 - present]

  • Society for Neuroscience  [1996 - present]

  • APS, Association for Psychological Science  [2004 - present]

  • AAAS, American Association for the Advancement of Science  [1998 - present]

  • Sigma Xi  [1993 - present]

  • Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience [2002 - present]

   

• Publications

  • Peer Reviewed Articles  Wofford student co-authors shown in blue

    • Pittman, D.W.  (2009) Chapter 4: Role of the gustatory system in fatty acid detection in rats.  Fat Detection: Taste, Texture, and Post Ingestive Effects (Frontiers in Neuroscience)

    • Pittman, D.W., Smith, K.R., Crawley, M.E., Corbin, C.H., Hansen, D., Frasier, K., Gilbertson, T.A. Orosensory detection of fatty acids in obesity-prone and -resistant rats: Strain and sex differences.  Chemical Senses, 2008, Jun; 33(5):449-60. Link to article

    • Pittman, D.W., Crawley, M.E., Corbin, C.H., and Smith, K.R. Chorda tympani nerve transection impairs the gustatory detection of free fatty acids in male and female rats . Brain Research, 2007, Jun 2; 1151: 74-83.  Link to article

    • Pittman, D.W., Labban, C.E., Anderson, A.A., and O’Connor, H.E. Linoleic and Oleic Acid Alter the Licking Responses to Sweet, Salt, Sour, and Bitter Tastants in Rats. Chemical Senses, 2006, 31: 835-843.  Link to article

    • McCormack, D.N., Clyburn, V.L., and Pittman, D.W. Detection of Free Fatty Acids following a Conditioned Taste Aversion in Rats. Physiology & Behavior, 2006, 87(3): 582-594.   Link to article

    • Houpt T. A., Pittman D. W., Riccardi, C., Cassell, J.A., Lockwood, D.R., Barranco, J. M., Kwon, B., and Smith J.C. Behavioral effects on rats of high strength magnetic fields generated by a resistive electromagnet. Physiology & Behavior, 2005, 86(3): 379-389.  Link to article

    • Houpt T. A., Pittman D. W., Barranco, J. M., Brooks, E. H., and Smith J.C. Behavioral effects of high strength static magnetic fields on rats. Journal of Neuroscience, Feb 15, 2003, 23(4):1498 –1505.  Link to article

    • Pittman, D.W. and Contreras, R.J. Rearing on basal or high dietary NaCl modifies chorda tympani nerve responses in rats. Physiology & Behavior, 2002, 77(2-3): 277-289.  Link to article

    • Pittman, D.W. and Contreras, R.J. Dietary NaCl influences the organization of chorda tympani neurons projecting to the nucleus of the solitary tract in rats. Chemical Senses, 2002, 27: 333-341.  Link to article

    • Pittman, D.W. and Contreras, R.J. Responses of single lingual nerve fibers to thermal and chemical stimulation. Brain Research, 1998, 790(1-2): 224-235.  Link to article

    • Nolte, C.M., Pittman, D.W., Kalevitch, B., Henderson, R. and Smith, J.C. Magnetic field conditioned taste aversion in rats. Physiology & Behavior, 1998, 63(4): 683-688.  Link to article

    • Lundy, R.F. Jr, Pittman, D.W. and Contreras, R.J. Role for epithelial Na+ channels and putative Na+/H+ exchangers in salt taste transduction in rats. American Journal of Physiology, 1997, 273: R1923-R1931.  Link to article

  • Books

    • Pittman, D.W.  (2009) Chapter 4: Role of the gustatory system in fatty acid detection in rats.  Fat Detection: Taste, Texture, and Post Ingestive Effects (Frontiers in Neuroscience)

    • Pittman D. W. (2005) Instructor’s Resource Manual for Discovering Biological Psychology by Laura Freberg. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.  Link to textbook site

  • Research Articles

    • Pittman D. W. and Scott D. M. Motor system tremors due to variations in tactile surface. Proceedings: Eighth National Conference on Undergraduate Research, 1994. Robert D. Yearout, ed. (391-395) UNCA: Asheville, NC.

    • Pittman D. W. and Scott D. M. Effects of lever surface conditions on tremors. Proceedings: Seventh National Conference on Undergraduate Research, 1993. Robert D. Yearout, ed. (407-411) UNCA: Asheville, NC.

   

• Conference Presentations  Wofford student co-authors shown in blue

  • Pittman, D.W. (2009) Oral Detection of Fatty Acids by Rats. Thirty-First Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences. Chem. Senses 34(7): A12.

  • Smith, K.R., Pittman, D.W. (2009) Sweet Stimuli Elicit Differential Responses in the Chorda Tympani Nerve of Obesity-resistant Rats Compared to Obesity-prone Rats. Thirty-First Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences. Chem. Senses 34(7): A42.

  • Pittman, D.W. McGinnis, M.M., Richardson, L.M., Miller, E.P., Baird, J.P. (2009) GABA-A Receptor Activation Influences Consumption of Appetitive and Aversive Tastants. Thirty-First Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences. Chem. Senses 34(7): A40.

  • Pittman, D.W. (2009) Evidence of a new taste sensation for dietary fat.  Fifth Annual South Carolina Upstate Research Symposium.

  • Pittman, D.W., Farr, I.E., Dinnen, H.L., Baird, J.P. (2008) Behavioral evidence of benzodiazepine-induced alterations of the gustatory evaluation of accepted and aversive taste stimuli.  Thirtieth Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences and Fifteenth International Symposium on Olfaction and Taste. Chem. Senses 33(8): S100.

  • Tran, A., Pittman, D.W., Baird, J.P. (2008) Role of central opioids in benzodiazepine modulation of gustatory behavior. Thirtieth Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences and Fifteenth International Symposium on Olfaction and Taste. Chem. Senses 33(8): S98.

  • Pittman, D.W., Smith, K.R., Crawley, M.E., Corbin, C.H., Hansen, D., Frasier, K., Gilbertson, T.A. (2007) Fatty acid taste in obesity-prone and –resistant rats: Strain and sex differences.  Twenty-ninth Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 32(6): A26.

  • Pittman, D.W. (2006) Evidence for a New Taste Sensation involving Dietary Fat.  Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the Association for Psychological Science.

  • Adamson, A., Bramlett, M., Evans, S., Gasque, L., Lister, R., Pittman, D.W. (2006) Brief Stimulus Presentations Permit Gustatory Detection of Linoleic Acid but not Oleic Acid in Rats.  Twenty-eighth Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 31(5): A122.

  • Labban, C.E., Anderson, A.A., O’Connor, H.E., Pittman, D.W. (2005) Oleic and linoleic acid alters licking responses to sweet, sour, and salt tastants in rats. Twenty-seventh Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 30(5): A65.

  • Harris, L.E., Murchison, L.H., Shields, S.V., Wallace, J.L., Pittman, D.W. (2005) The role of the chorda tympani nerve in the detection of free fatty acids in rats. Twenty-seventh Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 30(5): A66.

  • Clyburn, V.L., Pittman, D.W. (2004) Gustatory detection of oleic acid and stimulus generalization to linoleic acid in rats. Twenty-sixth Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 30(3): A8.

  • McCormack, D. N., Herzog, P., Webster, K. L., and Pittman, D. W. (2003) Gustatory detection of a free fatty acid, linoleic acid, by rats. Twenty-fifth Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 28: A91.

  • Herzog, P., McCormack, D. N., Webster, K. L., and Pittman, D. W. (2003) Linoleic acid alters licking responses to sweet, sour, and salt tastants in rats. Twenty-fifth Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 28: A92.

  • Pittman, D. W., Contreras, R. J. (2001) Amiloride-sensitive component of the chorda tympani nerve response reduced by low NaCl diet in adult rats. Twenty-third Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 26: 1072.

  • Pittman, D. W., Curtis, K., Brooks, E., Krause, E., Smith, J.C., Contreras, R. J. (2000) Detection of dietary fat by the gustatory system: Behavioral and electrophysiological properties of linoleic acid in rats. Twenty-second Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 25: 661.

  • Pittman, D. W., Rathmann, K.R., Contreras, R. J. (1999) Characterization of the chorda tympani nerve terminal field in the rat nucleus of the solitary tract with anterograde DiI transport. Twenty-first Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 24: 547.

  • Pittman, D. W., Contreras, R. J. (1998) The influence of perinatal NaCl intake on chorda tympani responses to NaCl, KCl, and Q-HCl with and without amiloride in rats. Twentieth Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 23: 617.

  • Pittman, D. W., Nolte, C. M., Henderson, R., and Smith, J.C. (1997) Magnet induced conditioned taste aversion in rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 23: 1347.

  • Pittman, D. W., Contreras R. J. (1997) Responses of trigeminal nerve fibers to thermal and chemical stimulation in rats. Nineteenth Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences and Twelfth International Symposium on Olfaction and Taste, Chem. Senses 22: 769.

  • Lundy Jr., R. F., Pittman, D. W., and Contreras, R. J. (1996) Dose-response analysis of the amiloride-sensitive component of taste nerve responses to sodium and non-sodium salts in rats. Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Chem. Senses 21: 637.

   

• Invited Research Presentations

  • Pittman, D. W. Oral Detection of Fatty Acids by Rats.  Making Sense of Fat Taste Symposium. 31st Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences  [2009]

  • Pittman, D. W. What is "good" sleep and why do you need it? Panelist, Converse College Wellness Program  [2008]

  • Pittman, D. W. Sensory Cues for Dietary Fat: Behavioral Evidence of Gustatory Detection. 7^th International Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium [2007] Link to slides

  • Pittman, D. W. Identifying the Taste of Fat. Faculty Research Lecture Series, Wofford College [2003]

  • Pittman, D. W. Salt & fat taste: The appeal of french fries. Invited speaker, Bryan Robinson Neuroscience Foundation Dinner, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital  [2000]

  • Pittman, D. W. The taste of fat. Howard Baker Research Seminar, The Florida State University [2000]

   

• Press & Media Appearances

  • Press Release for community research to influence eating habits of elementary age children as a means to reduce childhood obesity

  • Press Release for laboratory research on the taste of fat

  • Wofford Today David Pittman, mentor by example.  Spartanburg, SC [Spring, 2009]  Link to article

  • Wofford Today Pittman and student researchers tackle obesity epidemic.  Spartanburg, SC [Summer, 2006]  Link to article

  • WHNS-TV Fox Carolina News Does fat have a taste? That's what one upstate professor is out to prove.  Greenville, SC [July 17, 2006]  Link to video clip

  • WOLT-FM Awake with Drake Community of Scholars Research Interview.  Spartanburg, SC [June 16, 2006]  Link to mp3 audio clip

  • Herald-Journal Newspaper Article Could taste make a fat rat pig out? Spartanburg, SC [Page B1, June 12, 2006]  Link to article

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