Dr William M. Struthers received his PhD (Biopsychology) from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, where he is an award winning teacher and scholar. He teaches doctoral and undergraduate courses in Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology.
Dr. Struthers’ lab research interests are in the neural mechanisms that underlie behavioral arousal and the processing of novel environments. His research employs the use of stereotaxic surgery, immunochemistry, and behavioral manipulations to investigate gene expression in the cingulate cortex and basal ganglia. His human clinical research interests relate to sexual compulsivity and religiosity.
Dr. Struthers’ theoretical research is in the area of neuroethics, the biological bases of spirituality, personhood, and the nature of the integration of psychology and the Christian faith. He has delivered lectures on science/faith issues at meetings of the Christian Neuroscience Society and is a member of the Neuroethics Society, American Scientific Affiliation and the Society for Neuroscience.
Recent selected science publications
- Essery, J. Struthers, W.M., and Santoyo, L. (2010) Physical Activity: An Opportunity for Holistic Ministry and Health Promotion in Christian Churches. International Conference of the Christian Association of Psychological Studies, Kansas City, MO.
- Struthers, W.M. (November, 2005) The Neurobiology of the Relationship-Oriented Mind. The “Nature” of Belief: Evolutionary Explanation, Biological Function, and Divine Purpose, Grand Rapids, MI.
- Struthers, W.M. (February, 2005) The Neurobiology of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral and the Relational Brain. Fuller Symposium on the Integration of Faith and Learning, Pasadena, CA.
- Struthers, W.M.; DuPriest, A; and Runyan, J. Habituation Reduces Novelty-Induced FOS Expression in the Striatum and Cingulate Cortex. Experimental Brain Research (2005), Vol 167(1), 136-140.
- Ambert, K and Struthers, W.M. (November, 2003) Rearing in Enriched Environments Reduces Novelty-Shuttling Induced FOS Expression in the Cingulate Cortex and Striatum. Society for Neuroscience 33rd Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
- Struthers, W.M. Sex-Induced FOS in the Medial Preoptic Area: Projections to the Midbrain. NeuroReport (2001) Vol 12, 3065-3068.
Recent selected publications in science and religion
- Struthers, William M. Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hijacks the Male Brain, (2009) InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL.
- Struthers, William (2009) The Seven Temptations of Neuroethics, Christian Perspectives in Science Seminar, Calvin College, Nov, 6, Grand Rapids, MI.
- Struthers, William (2008) When Neuroscience and Theology Go Bad: Neuroessentialism and Practical Gnosticism. Science and Human Nature: Russian and Western Perspectives, Baylor University Interdisciplinary Symposium, Nov 6-8, Waco, TX.
- Struthers, W.M. (2007) Implications of Human Uniqueness: From Imago Dei to Neuroscience. Joint Meeting of the American Scientific Affiliation and Christians in Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Book Chapter: Struthers, W.M. What is the Mind-Brain Problem. In: Not Just Science. (2005) Ed. Chappell, Dorothy F. and Cook, E. David. Zondervan: rand Rapids, MI
- Struthers William M. Snark or Boojum? Trends in the Integration of Psychology and Christianity. Journal of Psychology and Christianity (2005) Vol 24(3), 195-209.
- Struthers, William M. Teaching Neuroscience at a Religious Institution: Pedagogical Models for Handling Neuroscience and Theology. The Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education (2003)
- Struthers, William M. Defining Consciousness: Christian and Psychological Perspectives, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith (2001) Vol 53 (2), 102-106.
