Area of Interest

I take a multidisciplinary approach in my work (spanning molecular biology, neurochemistry, pharmacology, and behaviour) to explore the interface between the brain and behaviour in substance dependence.  The general objective of my research is to elucidate the neurobiological underpinnings of drug relapse, with a specific focus on understanding the relationship between stress and relapse to drug seeking. I am also interested in how different forms of associative learning contribute to drug-induced neuronal adaptations, and how these adaptations are manifest in behaviour. 

Keywords:

• Neurobiology of addiction
• Neurobiology of stress
• Neuropharmacology
• Functional neuroanatomy
• Behavioural neuroscience

Current Research

• Role of stress-related neuropeptides in drug seeking responses
• Interactions between corticotropin-releasing factor and catecholamines in drug relapse
• Drug-induced neuronal plasticity and vunlnerability to drug relapse
• Role of extended amygdala circuitry in drug-induced associative learning processes

Teaching

NROD63H: Advanced Neuroscience Laboratory

NROD66H: Addictions

NROD98Y: Thesis in Neuroscience (Course Coordinator)

PSYC62H: Drugs and the Brain
PSYD98Y: Thesis in Psychology (Course Coordinator)