Spotlight on Graduate Research
We’re excited to highlight the innovative work of our graduate students, who are breaking new ground in neuroscience and addiction research! These projects span critical areas such as decision-making in addiction, neurocircuitry in substance use, and the role of the prefrontal cortex in reward behavior. Each project represents our lab’s dedication to advancing understanding in the field and sharing these insights with the broader scientific community. Check out our featured projects page to learn more about the impactful work our grad students are leading!
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“My current research activities involve investigating the effects of cocaine on neural circuitry, particularly those related to drug craving and distress tolerance, in hopes that we can further elucidate the underlying differences in patterns of action observed in individuals suffering from drug addiction. To do this, I utilize in vivo calcium imaging in rodent models of distress tolerance, anxiety-related behaviors, and drug self-administration. Using these visualization and behavioral techniques, I can compare neural network responses to particular stimuli across three points of drug exposure: drug naïve, early abstinence, and late abstinence (the critical period for drug relapse). In this way, I can distinguish the effects of cocaine on several key behavioral and neural outcomes such as impulsivity, psychological stress, anxiety, drug craving, and either increases or decreases in neural network activity. Furthermore, using male and female subjects allows for discerning if sex differences exist in the outcomes mentioned previously.”
-Marina Smoak
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“My research explores the neural mechanisms in the prelimbic cortex that underlie behaviors predictive of drug-seeking before and after cocaine self-administration. By examining key behaviors such as impulsivity, distress tolerance, anxiety, incentive salience, and novelty-seeking, this study aims to identify common and unique neural assemblies that drive these behaviors and contribute to addiction. Using in vivo calcium imaging, I analyze real-time neural activity in rodent models during these behaviors, comparing patterns before and after drug exposure. This approach allows for the identification of neurons engaged in drug-seeking behaviors, providing insights into shared or behavior-specific neural circuits. Additionally, I investigate sex differences to further understand how these factors influence addiction vulnerability, potentially informing more targeted therapeutic strategies.”
-Karla Galvan
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“It’ll be cool. Go science.”
-Peter Fogel
