Current Research Projects

  • Delineating astrocyte-neuron interactions within the ventral midbrain and the influence of midbrain astrocytes on behavior

  • The acute and long-term effects of stress on dopamine release and behavior

  • Neural circuits mediating changes in subjective preference

  • Regional specificity in dopamine's control over behavi41

Lab Funding

  • Preclinical efficacy of AST-004 as a treatment for substance use disorder (R41; DA064479)

  • Targeting the midbrain astrocyte epigenome to regulate drug-dependent behavior (R21; DA064861)

  • Neural signals controlling generalized deficits in motivation (R21; MH133062)

  • Midbrain astrocytes controlling active avoidance learning (R21; MH127466)

  • Midbrain astrocyte energy metabolism regulating drug-evoked dopamine release and behavior (R21; DA051014)

  • Dopamine's role in changing subjective preference (R21; DA042362)

  • Targeting astrocytes as a novel strategy to reduce cocaine self-administration (San Antonio Life Sciences Institute)

  • Role of KCNQ (“M-type”) K+ channels of dopaminergic neurons as key regulators of cocaine addiction (Addiction Research, Treatment & Training Center of Excellence)

  • Stress and CRF modulation of phasic dopamine release and behavior (R00; DA033386)