Rate My Professor Katherine Wilkinson

Her research in neurophysiology examines muscle spindle afferents, the sensory neurons that detect muscle length and movement, forming the basis of proprioception and the muscle stretch reflex. Alterations in these neurons contribute to movement and balance disorders, and her work explores how they convert muscle stretch into action potentials. Key publications include 'Excessive mechanotransduction in sensory neurons causes joint contractures' (Science, 2023), co-authored with Ardem Patapoutian; 'Piezo2 is the principal mechanotransduction channel for proprioception' (Nature Neuroscience, 2015); 'Vesicle-Released Glutamate is Necessary to Maintain Muscle Spindle Afferent Excitability but Not Dynamic Sensitivity in Adult Mice' (Journal of Physiology, 2021); 'Molecular Determinants of mechanosensation in the muscle spindle' (Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 2022); and 'Methodological advances for studying gamma motor neurons' (Current Opinion in Physiology, 2020). Additional studies address effects of diet-induced obesity and inflammation on muscle spindle function and Hoffmann’s reflex, published in Physiological Reports and PLoS ONE (2018-2019). With over 850 citations, her contributions advance understanding of sensory mechanotransduction. Wilkinson teaches courses including Principles of Biology I, Vertebrate Neurophysiology, Cardiorespiratory Physiology, Integrative Physiology, Scientific Communication, and Advanced Graduate Seminar on Pain.