| Jun 7, 2026 | We are heading to the Research Society on Alcohol meeting in San Antonio in a few weeks, and we are excited to present the lab’s first clinical study. The work carries our individual-differences program into human research, using behavioral economic demand to examine how cumulative trauma and psychological resilience shape the motivational value of alcohol in young adults. Read a short walkthrough of the study here. |
| Feb 7, 2025 | Our study of gene expression following long-access methamphetamine self-administration is now published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Using RNA sequencing, we identified 41 differentially expressed genes in the prefrontal cortex and 32 in the hippocampus, spanning synaptic plasticity, immune response, and energy metabolism. Genes supporting mitochondrial function were downregulated, whereas genes involved in neural development and extracellular matrix organization were upregulated. Importantly, we then related this variability to economic demand for methamphetamine. Rats with higher demand showed distinct molecular profiles, including upregulation of Foxd1 and Cdh1. This analysis is preliminary, but it suggests that individual differences in drug taking may correspond to identifiable differences in gene expression. |
| Jan 25, 2024 | We are looking for talented research assistants and graduate students! Please reach out for more information.   |
| Sep 10, 2023 | We are thrilled to share that our lab has been awarded funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to explore the neurobiology of learning influenced by nicotine stimuli. This significant achievement enables us to delve deeper into understanding the intricate mechanisms of addiction and cognitive processes. Stay tuned for exciting developments and insights from our research journey! |