Education:
PhD-University of South Carolina
Research/Teaching Interests:
My research focuses on the neuroanatomical changes linked to alcohol use disorder (AUD), particularly how alcohol affects drug- and fear-related memories. My lab studies glutamatergic processes and has shown that targeting the mGlu5 receptor can improve extinction of alcohol-seeking behavior and reduce relapse in rodent models. We also examine the overlap between AUD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that chronic alcohol exposure can impair the extinction of fear memories. As part of the Neurobiology of Adolescent Drinking in Adulthood (NADIA) consortium, I also study how adolescent alcohol exposure impacts behavior and stress-related disorders later in life. Using a variety of behavioral and neuroscience techniques, our work aims to provide translational insights into AUD and PTSD in humans.