Biology Department

Jennifer Dearolf, Ph.D.

Dearolf, J

Jennifer Dearolf, Ph.D.

Chair, Health Sciences Program

Professor of Biology

She/Her/Hers dearolf@hendrix.edu Donald W. Reynolds Center 230 (501) 450-4530 (501) 450-4547 SMuBL

Academic Background

  • B.A., St. Mary's College of Maryland, 1996
  • M.S., University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 1998
  • Ph.D., Cornell University, 2002

Courses Taught

  • BIOL 101 - Concepts of Biology: Marine Biology

  • BIOL 150 – Fundamentals of Cellular Life

  • BIOL 155 – Evolution and Diversity of Life

  • HESC 200 – Introduction to Athletic Injuries           

  • BIOL 305 – Anatomy and Physiology I

  • BIOL 306 – Anatomy and Physiology II

  • BIOL 335 - Marine Biology

  • BIOL 345 – Zoology

  • BIOL 353 – Vertebrate Zoology

  • BIOL 354/HESC 354 – Biology of Movement         

  • BIOL 440 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

Research Interests

  • I have a longstanding interest in vertebrate biology, specifically how mammals, both neonates and adults, interact with their environment.  One of the main ways that animals engage their surroundings is through movement.  Movement, in turn, is accomplished through the interaction of muscles with an animal's skeletal system, and thus, I have chosen to study muscle biology.

  • Currently, the work in my lab is focused on locomotor muscles. We are comparing the construction of the longissimus dorsi, one of the muscles that powers the upstroke in cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) in neonatal, juvenile, and adult animals to determine how this muscle develops. Our studies will allow us to determine if neonates are at risk of being separated from their mothers because of immature muscles. Characteristics that we are investigating include fiber-type profiles (percent slow- and fast-twitch fibers), fiber diameters, oxidative and glycolytic enzyme activities, and myosin heavy chain protein expression. 

Scientific Publications

  • Tengler, M. L., J. Dearolf, A. L. Bryan, C. Reichmuth, N. M. Thometz. (2024) Comparative muscle physiology of ringed (Pusa hispida), bearded (Erignathus barbatus), and spotted (Phoca largha) seals from the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Aquatic Mammals 50: 181-198. 

  • Thometz, N.M., J.L. Dearolf , R.C. Dunkin, D.P. Noren, M.M. Holt, O.C. Sims*, B.C. Cathey*, and T.M. Williams. (2018) Comparative physiology of vocal musculature in two odontocetes, the bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus ) and the harbor porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena ). Journal of Comparative Physiology B 188: 177-193.
  • Kielhorn, C.E., R.M. Dillaman, S.T. Kinsey, W.A. McLellan, D.M. Gay, J.L. Dearolf , and D.A. Pabst. (2013) Locomotor muscle profile of a deep ( Kogia breviceps ) versus shallow ( Tursiops truncatus ) diving cetacean. Journal of Morphology 274: 663-675.
  • Cotten, P.B., M.A. Piscitelli, W.A. McLellan, S.A. Rommel, J.L. Dearolf, and D.A. Pabst. (2008) The gross morphology and histochemistry of respiratory muscles in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Journal of Morphology 269: 1520-1538.
  • Etnier, S.A., J.L. Dearolf, W.A. McLellan, and D.A. Pabst. (2004) Postural role of lateral axial muscles in developing bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 271: 909-918.
  • Thayer, V.G., A.J. Read, N.I. Bowles, D.R. Colby, J.L. Dearolf, A.A. Hohn, W.A. McLellan, D.A. Pabst, J.R. Russell, and K.A. Rittmaster. (2003) Reproductive seasonality of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in North Carolina. Marine Mammal Science 19: 617-629.
  • Dearolf, J.L.  (2003) Diaphragm muscle development in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Morphology 256: 79-88.
  • Noren, S.R., T.M. Williams, D.A. Pabst, W.A. McLellan, and J.L. Dearolf. (2001) The development of diving in marine endotherms: preparing the skeletal muscles of dolphins, penguins, and seals for activity during submergence. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 171: 127-134.
  • Dearolf, J.L., W.A. McLellan, R.M. Dillaman, D. Frierson, and D.A. Pabst.  (2000) Precocial development of axial locomotor muscle in bottlenose dolphins  (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Morphology 244: 203-215.

Recent Research Grants

  • Measuring the oxidative capacity of the locomotor muscle of spinner dolphins – Hendrix Odyssey Program – May 2024 – May 2025 ($5585)

  • Analyzing and comparing muscle fiber profiles within adult and calf spinner dolphins. Hendrix Odyssey Program – May 2024 – May 2025 ($5705)

  • Morphology of the locomotor muscles of three Arctic seal species - Hendrix Odyssey Program - May 2019 - May 2020 ($4,458)

Current Members of the Lab

  • Janiya Ashford (Undergraduate Student)

    • Marlene Lange (Undergraduate Student)

      • Kelsey Sample (Undergraduate Student)

        • Emma Self (Undergraduate Student)

          Hendrix student Harry Lance named Goldwater Scholar

          Hendrix College is excited to announce Harry Lance ’26 was named a Goldwater Scholar by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

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          Hendrix Students Study Aquatic Mammals

          Dr. Jenn Dearolf leads seal and dolphin studies for Skeletal Muscle Biology Lab

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