Ashley McFalls

Dr. Ashley McFalls is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Lebanon Valley College. She received her Ph.D. in neuroscience from The Pennsylvania State University and specializes in gene expression and epigenetics, animal behavior, human and non-human animal interaction, and the health and welfare of chickens. At LVC, Dr. McFalls is the faculty advisor for Auggie’s Project, a club that focuses on promoting adoption of and providing enrichment to animals in shelters.  She is also a member of the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Publications (underlined names indicate LVC student):

• McFalls A., Imperio C.G., Wronowski B., Krikorian, C., Stoltzfus, B., Woodward, E., Grigson, P.S., Freeman, W.M., Vrana, K.E. An RNA-seq study of the mPFC of rats with different addiction phenotypes.  Brain Research Bulletin. 2022 191.:107-120 doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.09.023
• McFalls, A., Jenny, C., Stanford, R., Woodward, E., Hajnal, A., Grigson, P.S., and Vrana, K.E. Greater avoidance of a saccharin cue paired with passive delivery of heroin is associated with a select increase in expression of CRFR2 and CRFbp in the hippocampus in rats; Brain Research Bulletin. 2022. 191:48-60. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.10.009. PMID: 36228871.

Presentations:

• McFalls, A., Tassou, O. & Bertone, L. “‘It’s all worth it’: The joys, challenges and life lessons in rescuing chickens.  Oral presentation delivered at the International Society for Anthrozoology annual meeting June 28, 2025.  Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
• McFalls A, Osadchyi I, Hartsock J, Casella R. Political orientation is associated with animal product consumption style in backyard chicken keepers. Poster presented at the International Society for Anthrozoology annual meeting June 29, 2024, Hartpury, England.
• McFalls, A., Mailey, M., Casella, R., Fritz, A., & Odsachyi, I (2023) Feathered Ambassadors: Stories of how backyard chickens are causing a shift toward a kinder coexistence. Oral Presentation delivered at the International Society for Anthrozoology annual meeting June 16, 2023. Edinburgh, Scotland.
• McFalls, A., & Mailey, M. (2022). Hens who raise chicks late in the season may be better mothers. Poster presented at the International Society for Anthrozoology Annual Meeting, July 8, 2022. Virtual conference due to COVID19.
• Beck, A., Talamona, S., Arnold, M., Pitta, M., & McFalls, A. (2022). Dogs who require encouragement to approach a novel object make more eye contact with owner. Poster presented at the international society for anthrozoology annual meeting, July 8, 2022. Virtual conference due to COVID19. 
• McFalls, A., Jenny, C., Stanford, R., Woodward, E., Hajnal, A., Grigson, P.S., and Vrana, K.E. Passive heroin infusion induces devaluation of saccharin cues but does not alter CRF signaling; Eastern Psychological Association Virtual Conference, March 6, 2021

2025–26:

• General Psychology (PSY110)
• Brain and Behavior (PSY278)
• Behavioral Neuroscience (PSY360)
• Introduction to Psychopharmacology (NEU285)
• Addictions and Behavior (PSY257)