Faculty Profile

April Becker

Title
Assistant Professor
Department
Behavior Analysis
College
College of Health and Public Service

    

Education

PhD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 2017.
Major: Neuroscience
Degree Specialization: Biomedical Science
Dissertation Title: Targeting Cholinergic Neuromodulation in Stroke Recovery
MS, University of North Texas, 2011.
Major: Behavior Analysis
Degree Specialization: Animal Training, Cultural Analysis
Dissertation Title: “Psychological Appetite” or Schedule-Induced Deprivation
BS, Colorado State University, 2003.
Major: Zoology
Dissertation Title: Mobbing Calls of Black-Capped Chickadees: Effects of Urgency on Call Production

Current Scheduled Teaching*

BEHV 6140.001, Advanced Strategies and Tactics in Behavior Analytic Research, Spring 2024 Syllabus
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Spring 2024 Syllabus
HLSC 6950.041, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2024
BEHV 5950.709, Master's Thesis, Spring 2024
BEHV 6900.709, Special Problems, Spring 2024

* Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.

Previous Scheduled Teaching*

BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
HLSC 6950.041, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2023
BEHV 5950.709, Master's Thesis, Fall 2023
BEHV 5000.001, Observation and Measurement of Behavior and Environment, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
HLSC 6950.041, Doctoral Dissertation, Summer 10W 2023
BEHV 5820.712, Internship, Summer 10W 2023
BEHV 5410.001, Brain Plasticity and Behavioral Dynamics, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
HLSC 6950.041, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2023
BEHV 5820.709, Internship, Spring 2023 SPOT
BEHV 5950.709, Master's Thesis, Spring 2023
BEHV 6900.709, Special Problems, Spring 2023
BEHV 6010.001, Survey of Literature in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 6910.709, Developing Behavior Analytic Expertise II, Fall 2022
HLSC 6950.041, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2022
BEHV 5820.709, Internship, Fall 2022
BEHV 5950.709, Master's Thesis, Fall 2022
BEHV 5000.001, Observation and Measurement of Behavior and Environment, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 5815.709, Practicum, Fall 2022
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Summer 5W2 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 6140.001, Advanced Strategies and Tactics in Behavior Analytic Research, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 6810.709, Developing Behavior Analytic Expertise I, Spring 2022
BEHV 5950.709, Master's Thesis, Spring 2022
BEHV 5815.709, Practicum, Spring 2022
BEHV 5900.709, Special Problems, Spring 2022
BEHV 6900.709, Special Problems, Spring 2022
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 6910.709, Developing Behavior Analytic Expertise II, Fall 2021
BEHV 5820.709, Internship, Fall 2021
BEHV 5950.709, Master's Thesis, Fall 2021
BEHV 5000.001, Observation and Measurement of Behavior and Environment, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 5950.712, Master's Thesis, Summer 5W2 2021
BEHV 6810.709, Developing Behavior Analytic Expertise I, Spring 2021
BEHV 5010.002, Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 5950.709, Master's Thesis, Spring 2021
BEHV 5910.712, Special Problems, Spring 2021 Syllabus
BEHV 6010.001, Survey of Literature in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Spring 2021 SPOT
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 5950.709, Master's Thesis, Fall 2020
BEHV 5000.001, Observation and Measurement of Behavior and Environment, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 5815.709, Practicum, Fall 2020 SPOT
BEHV 5900.709, Special Problems, Fall 2020
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Summer 5W2 2020 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 5950.712, Master's Thesis, Summer 5W1 2020
BEHV 6140.001, Advanced Strategies and Tactics in Behavior Analytic Research, Spring 2020 Syllabus
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Spring 2020 Syllabus
BEHV 5820.709, Internship, Spring 2020
BEHV 5950.709, Master's Thesis, Spring 2020
BEHV 5815.709, Practicum, Spring 2020
BEHV 5950.709, Master's Thesis, Fall 2019
BEHV 5000.001, Observation and Measurement of Behavior and Environment, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 5815.709, Practicum, Fall 2019
BEHV 4900.712, Special Problems, Fall 2019
BEHV 5900.710, Special Problems, Fall 8W2 2019
BEHV 5250.011, Topics in Behavior Analysis, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Summer 5W2 2019 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 6140.001, Advanced Strategies and Tactics in Behavior Analytic Research, Spring 2019 SPOT
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 5815.709, Practicum, Spring 2019
BEHV 5815.710, Practicum, Spring 2019
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 5000.001, Observation and Measurement of Behavior and Environment, Fall 2018 SPOT
BEHV 5815.712, Practicum, Fall 2018
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Summer 5W2 2018 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 3440.001, Data Collection and Analysis, Spring 2018 Syllabus SPOT
BEHV 5815.709, Practicum, Spring 2018
BEHV 5000.001, Observation and Measurement of Behavior and Environment, Fall 2017 SPOT

* Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.

Published Publications

Published Intellectual Contributions

Book Chapter
Becker, A. M., Betz, D. M., Cotter, K. M., Sloan, A. M., Stowe, A. M., Goldberg, M. P. (2023). Using operant reach chambers to assess mouse skilled forelimb use after stroke. Methods in Molecular Biology: Neural Repair..
Cihon, T. M., Becker, A. M., Ortu, D., Glenn, S. (2020). Establishing a research lab for cultural science. Behavior science perspectives on culture and community.
Journal Article
Becker, A. M., Kuhn, R. M., Pinkelman, S. (2024). Advancing and Integrating the Cusp Concept to Understand Behavioral Repertoire Dynamics. Perspectives on Behavior Science.
Becker, A. M. (2023). The benefits of a greater utilization of single-subject research designs and multi-methodological approaches to neuroscience research. Journal: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
Tasneem, N. T., Biswas, D. K., Reza, S., Mahbub, I., Becker, A. M. (2023). Multichannel Electrophysiological Recording with Unsupervised Spike Detection and Spike Sorting in a Duty-cycled Wireless Optogenetic Headstage.. Journal: Electronics. 410 Avenue C 360G
Lopez, C., Cihon, T. M., de Borba Vasconcelos Neto, A., Becker, A. M. (2022). An Exploration of Cooperation During an Asymmetric Iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma Game. Behavior and Social Issues.
Butcher, G., Davidson, A., Sloan, A., Schneider, L., Lund, A., Becker, A. M. (2022). An apparatus for automatically training and collecting individualized behavioral data with socially housed rodents. Journal of Neuroscience Methods.
Becker, A., Baltazar, M. (2021). Behavior analysis and aphasia: A current appraisal and suggestions for the future. Behavioral Interventions. Denton:. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1848
Becker, A., Betz, D., Goldberg, M. (2020). Forelimb Cortical Stroke Reduces Precision of Motor Control in Mice. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968320921825
Ganzer, P. D., Darrow, M. J., Meyers, E. C., Solórzano, B. R., Ruiz, A. D., Robertson, N. M., Adcock, K. S., James, J. T., Jeong, H. S., Becker, A. M., Goldberg, M. P., Pruitt, D. T., Kilgard, M. P., Rennaker, R. L. (2018). Closed-loop Neuromodulation Restores Network Connectivity and Motor Control after Spinal Cord Injury. eLife. https://elifesciences.org/articles/32058
Becker, A. M., Meyers, E., Sloan, A., Rennaker, R., Kilgard, M., Goldberg, M. P. (2016). An automated task for the training and assessment of distal forelimb function in a mouse model of ischemic stroke.. Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 258, 16-23.
Ortu, D., Becker, A. M., Woelz, T. A., Glenn, S. S. (2012). An iterated four-player prisoner’s dilemma game with an external selecting agent: A metacontingency experiment. Other. 44(1), 111–120. Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz.
BAKER, M. C., Becker, A. M. (2002). MOBBING CALLS OF BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES: EFFECTS OF URGENCY ON CALL PRODUCTION. Other. 114(4), 510-516. Wilson Ornithological Society. http://dx.doi.org/10.1676/0043-5643(2002)114[0510:mcobcc]2.0.co;2

Awarded Grants

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

Grant - Research
Mahbub, I. (Principal), Becker, A. (Supporting), "CAREER: Next-generation of Wirelessly Powered Implantable Neuromodulation and Electrophysiological Recording System for Long-term Behavior Study of Freely-Moving Animals," Sponsored by NSF, University of North Texas, $500000 Funded. (February 1, 2020January 31, 2026).
Becker, A. M. (Principal), "Incentive Program for Grant Writing: The effects of circuit interactions on reinforcement," Sponsored by College of Health and Public Service, University of North Texas, $4000 Funded. (January 2022July 2022).
Becker, A. (Principal), "Summer Faculty Success Grant: Augmenting post-stroke behavioral rehabilitation through cholinergic neuromodulation," Sponsored by Office of the Provost, University of North Texas, University of North Texas, $3000 Funded. (June 2021September 2021).
Becker, A. M. (Principal), "Increasing the throughput and sensitivity of the cylinder test for behavioral assessment of post-stroke recovery," Sponsored by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Federal, $10000 Funded. (June 1, 2019May 31, 2020).
Becker, A. (Principal), "Research Seed Grant (RSG), UNT Office of Research & Innovation," University of North Texas, $9000 Funded. (May 2019April 2020).
Becker, A. M. (Supporting), Goldberg, M. P. (Principal), "Beatrice Menne Haggerty Center for Research on Brain Injury and Repair in Stroke," Other, $2000000 Funded. (20152018).
Becker, A. (Principal), "Successful application to apply for a UNT Internal Limited Submission," Sponsored by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Federal, Funded. (November 26, 2018November 26, 2018).
Grant - Teaching
Becker, A. M. (Other), "NIH T32 Cellular Biophysics of the Neuron Training Grant Trainee 5T32NS069562-05," Sponsored by NIH, Federal, Funded. (20132015).
Sponsored Research
Becker, A. (Co-Principal), Ortu, D. (Co-Principal), "The Beatrice H. Barrett Endowment for Research in Neuro-Operant Relations," Sponsored by The Beatrice H. Barrett Endowment for Research in Neuro-Operant Relations, Private, $3500000 Funded. (2003 – Present).
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Overall
Summative Rating
Challenge and
Engagement Index
Response Rate

out of 5

out of 7
%
of
students responded
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
    • The course as a whole was
    • The course content was
    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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