Victoria (Tori) Underhill, MSc.

Hello everyone! I’m Tori, aka your go-to in the Dantzer Lab as Ben’s lab manager. I am a multi-talented member of the lab that helps Ben keep things organized and running! I am a researcher, writer, self-teaching brainiac, website designer/editor, organization wizard, lab cheerleader, essentially I’m the jack of all trades in this lab.

I have a Master’s of Science in Biology, specifically Behavioral Ecology, from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. During my graduate degree, I did some amazing research into the effects of natural and anthropogenic light conditions on female mating behavior in Eastern gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) and published a 99-page thesis with my incredible advisor, Dr. Gerlinde Höbel. My path to the University of Michigan has been a very interesting one and I am thrilled to be a member of this amazing and productive lab. I am currently in the process of applying for Ph.D. programs to continue my path in academia, with a final goal of teaching the next generations of scientists as a professor.

Some fun facts about me:

  1. Cooking is my biggest hobby! I am an amazing chef, much to the dismay of any attempted diets in my house!
  2. I am a full-time dog mom to the best, neediest dog that anyone will ever meet (seriously, she’s such a goof!) and I talk about her non-stop, she’s my favorite hooman.
  3. I love nature, especially trees!
  4. I love to travel, my checklist so far includes many US spots (like the Garden of the Gods in Colorado-pictured above) as well as Australia, Ireland, and the Caribbean, with a France/Italy trip in the works!
  5. Writing and Biology are my life and loves, and if you spend your life in the pursuit of doing what you love, you don’t work a day in your life!

Anything else? Contact me at uvictori@umich.edu and follow me on Twitter @tori_underhill or see my Google Scholar profile for publications!