Biopsychology Graduate Student
Curriculum Vitae
Interests:
In my research, I am interested in the overlap between stress systems and incentive motivation. Specifically, I am interested in identifying the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) circuits that are involved in incentive motivation and how stress or drug exposure might change these circuits.
Current projects:
- Activation of CRF neurons following long access cocaine self-administration
- Antagonism of CRF peptide during activation of CRF systems through optogenetic self stimulation
- The role of CRF neurons in incentive motivation and reward choice (sucrose vs cocaine)
Techniques: optogenetics, pharmacology, immunohistochemistry and flourescent microscopy, operant, self-stimulation and other behavioral paradigms
