2026 Russell D. Fernald: Neuroscience Researcher – H-Index, Publications & Awards

Discipline name	D-Index	World Ranking	Current World Ranking	National Ranking	Current National Ranking	Publications	Citations
Neuroscience	78	1783	1626	859	765	216	19318

Russell D. Fernald publication distribution in Neuroscience in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Neuroscience in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Russell D. Fernald sits on this spectrum.

38 publications 887+

This scientist: 216 publications — 67th percentile

67% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 887 publications or more.

Russell D. Fernald D-index placement in Neuroscience in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Neuroscience scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Russell D. Fernald sits on this spectrum.

30 D-Index 163+

This scientist: 78 D-Index — 82nd percentile

82% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 163 D-Index or more.

Research.com Recognitions

2011 - Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
2003 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Overview

Russell D. Fernald is affiliated with Stanford University in the United States and has a focused research portfolio centered on genetics, behavior, and ecology primarily within aquatic species. Their work spans the intersection of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and environmental science, incorporating studies on animal behavior, reproductive biology, and genetic mechanisms in fish.

The scientist's recent publications include studies that explore genetic influences on social status and behavior in cichlid fish as well as molecular factors affecting physical traits and reproductive organs. Notable papers are:

Modular genetic control of social status in a cichlid fish, 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
A behavioral logic underlying aggression in an African cichlid fish, 2021, Ethology
DNA methylation of the endothelin receptor B makes blue fish yellow, 2022, bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Control of testes mass by androgen receptor paralogs in a cichlid, 2021, Journal of Comparative Physiology B
Modular genetic control of social status in a cichlid fish, 2020, bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

Research collaborations include frequent coauthors such as Beau A. Alward, Danielle M. Blakkan, Andrew P. Hoadley, Vibhav A. Laud, and Christopher J. Skalnik.

Fernald has published mainly in venues like bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Ethology, Journal of Comparative Physiology B, and UNC Libraries.

Their main fields of study are:

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Environmental Science

Subfields covered in their research include:

Nature and Landscape Conservation
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Genetics
Molecular Biology
Global and Planetary Change

The primary research topics addressed include:

Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Fish Ecology and Management Studies
CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
Marine and fisheries research
Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species

Russell D. Fernald has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2011 and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2003.

Best Publications

HOW THE BRAIN PROCESSES SOCIAL INFORMATION: Searching for the Social Brain*

Thomas R. Insel;Russell D. Fernald

770
Citations
Genes and Social Behavior

Gene E. Robinson;Russell D. Fernald;David F. Clayton

747
Citations
Fish can infer social rank by observation alone.

Logan Grosenick;Tricia S. Clement;Tricia S. Clement;Russell D. Fernald

674
Citations
The evolution of eyes.

M F Land;R D Fernald

546
Citations
Second gene for gonadotropin-releasing hormone in humans

Richard B. White;Jonathan A. Eisen;Thomas L. Kasten;Russell D. Fernald

491
Citations
Stress and Dominance in a Social Fish

Helen E. Fox;Stephanie A. White;Mimi H. F. Kao;Russell D. Fernald

377
Citations
An improved method for plotting retinal landmarks and focusing the eyes.

Russell Fernald;Ronald Chase

354
Citations
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Genes: Phylogeny, Structure, and Functions

Russell D. Fernald;Richard B. White

340
Citations
Genesis of rods in teleost fish retina.

Pamela Raymond Johns;Pamela Raymond Johns;Russell D. Fernald;Russell D. Fernald

322
Citations
Multiple corticosteroid receptors in a teleost fish: distinct sequences, expression patterns, and transcriptional activities.

Anna K. Greenwood;Paul C. Butler;Richard B. White;Ulrike DeMarco

312
Citations
Rapid behavioral and genomic responses to social opportunity.

Sabrina S Burmeister;Erich D Jarvis;Russell D Fernald

310
Citations
Social regulation of the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis

Richard C. Francis;Kiran Soma;Russell D. Fernald

275
Citations
Circadian rhythm and light regulate opsin mRNA in rod photoreceptors

Juan I. Korenbrot;Russell D. Fernald

244
Citations
Social control of neuronal soma size

Mark R. Davis;Russell D. Fernald

233
Citations
Three gonadotropin-releasing hormone genes in one organism suggest novel roles for an ancient peptide

Stephanie A. White;Thomas L. Kasten;Chris T. Bond;John P. Adelman

231
Citations
Casting a genetic light on the evolution of eyes

R.D. Fernald

222
Citations
Expression of arginine vasotocin in distinct preoptic regions is associated with dominant and subordinate behaviour in an African cichlid fish

Anna K Greenwood;Abigail R Wark;Russell D Fernald;Hans A Hofmann

219
Citations
Social regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Stephanie A. White;Stephanie A. White;Tuan Nguyen;Russell D. Fernald

203
Citations
What do fish make of mirror images

Julie K. Desjardins;Russell D. Fernald

202
Citations
Teleost vision: seeing while growing.

Russell D. Fernald

190
Citations
Evolution of eyes

Russell D Fernald

163
Citations
Neuroethology: Nerve Cells and the Natural Behavior of Animals by Jeffrey M. Camhi, Sinauer Associates Inc. 1984. £24.00 (xv + 416 pages) ISBN 0 87893 075 2

Unknown

5
Citations

Frequent Co-Authors

Hans A. Hofmann The University of Texas at Austin

Ole Seehausen University of Bern

Kerstin Lindblad-Toh Uppsala University

Norihiro Okada National Cheng Kung University

Federica Di Palma Earlham Institute

Andrey E. Ryabinin Oregon Health & Science University

Larry J. Young Emory University

George Paxinos Neuroscience Research Australia

Daniel Sol Spanish National Research Council

John C. Wingfield University of California, Davis

External Links

Personal website of Russell D. Fernald

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Thinking about a career in neuroscience? There are several education and career options to consider. Some students explore easiest college majors with high pay that offer a good balance between job opportunities and earning potential—even beyond traditional neuroscience fields.

Online learning has expanded access to quality programs. Many students choose online colleges that accept fafsa to make tuition more affordable and to access federal financial aid. This approach can significantly reduce the cost of earning your degree.

Those aiming for faster entry into the job market might consider targeted credentials. There are several easy licenses and certifications to get online that can boost your resume in a matter of months.

Additionally, for maximum flexibility, many students research online college degrees that enable distance learning and self-paced study. These pathways can open doors to roles in healthcare, research, and technology—all relevant to neuroscience graduates.