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NEUROBIOLOGY
& BEHAVIOR

Drug addiction, neurological, and degenerative diseases are reaching epidemic proportions in our society. An interdisciplinary group of faculty are tackling these problems at the molecular, cellular, and systems level.

BROWSE OUR RESEARCH
DRUG DISCOVERY &
PRECISION MEDICINE GENE ARCHITECTURE
& ACTION INTRACELLULAR
SIGNALING MOLECULAR BASIS
OF DISEASE NEUROBIOLOGY
& BEHAVIOR PROTEIN
STRUCTURE
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Cannabinoid receptors and brain damage

Dr. Nephi Stella

The Stella lab studies the impact of cannabis use on the developing brain and in neurodegenerative diseases.

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Targeting the synapse

Dr. Sandra Bhajjalieh

The Bajjalieh Lab studies how synaptic protein interactions modulate neurotransmission and how this can be targeted to treat neurological disorders.

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Stem Cell Models to Study Autism

Dr. Smita Yadav

The Yadav lab uses human iPSC derived neurons to investigate mechanisms underlying neurodevelopment disorders.

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Understanding Neurocircuitry & Behavior

Dr. Garrett Stuber

The Stuber lab adopts multidisciplinary approaches in neural circuits implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders including addiction and anxiety.

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Neuromodulatory Circuits in Behavior

Dr. Michael Bruchas

The Bruchas lab decodes how neuromodulators act in neural circuits to alter behavior.

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Manipulating DREADD in the Lateral Habenula

Dr. John Neumaier

The Neumaier lab uses DREADD technology in habenula neurons to understand behavioral despair and depression-like behavior.

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Complexity and Diversity of Dopamine Systems

Dr. Larry Zweifel

Our lab studies how distinct dopamine neurons project to discrete brain regions to regulate reward association, motivation, approach, and avoidance.

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Calcium Channels, Neuroplasticity & Memory

Dr. William Catterall

Pre-synaptic calcium channel enhances synaptic transmission and is important for encoding information for spatial learning and memory.

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