Full Members
Associate Members
Assistant Members
Student Members
Full Members
Susan E. Bergeson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
e-mail: Susan.Bergeson@TTUHSC.edu
Biosketch
Using behavioral, biochemical, genetic, and modern molecular "-omics" tools, the Bergeson lab studies the neurobiological mechanisms of alcohol preference and the consequences of alcohol drinking and dependence. Dr. Bergeson serves as a genetics core provider for the SPAARC.
Lee M. Cohen, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Psychology
Texas Tech University
Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
e-mail: Lee.Cohen@TTU.edu
Biosketch
The Cohen lab systematically explores the behavioral, cognitive, and physiological mechanisms that may contribute to the relationship between smoking and drinking.
George I. Henderson, Ph.D.
Professor
Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
e-mail: george.henderson@ttuhsc.edu
Biosketch
The Henderson lab has a focus on oxidative stress in the mechanism of apoptosis and neurodegeneration. Areas of interest include glial-neuronal interactions in maintaining neuronal redox status and regulation of phase II response systems in the brain.
Inna Kruman, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor
Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
email: inna.kruman@ttuhsc.edu
Biosketch
Dr. Kruman's research involves understanding the mechanisms of alcohol-induced damage to the brain based on the key role of genomic instability conveyed by dysfunction of homocysteine-folate metabolism.
Lenin Mahimainathan, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
e-mail: lenin.mahimainathan@ttuhsc.edu
Biosketch
Our laboratory studies the role of PDCD4 in alcohol induced neurodegeneration, and significance of PDCD4 in early development.
Parastoo Momeni, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Internal Medicine
Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
e-mail: Parastoo.Momeni@TTUHSC.edu
Biosketch
The Momeni lab is focused on mutation and association analyses. Dr. Momeni provides genetics core services for the SPAARC.
Michael W. O'Boyle, Ph.D.
Professor
Human Development and Family Studies
Assistant Director, Texas Tech Neuroimaging Institute
Associate Dean for Research, College of Human Sciences
Texas Tech University
Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
e-mail: Michael.OBoyle@TTU.edu
Biosketch
My research interests involve the use a variety of neuroimaging techniques (e.g., fMRI, DTI and EEG) available through the NeuroImaging, Cognition and Engineering (NICE) Laboratory here at Texas Tech University (http://www.orgs.ttu.edu/nice/index2.html) to investigate the brain structures and neural circuitry associated with substance abuse and addiction.
R. Lisa Popp, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
e-mail: Lisa.Popp@TTUHSC.edu
Biosketch
The focus of the Popp lab is to study the molecular mechanisms of alcohol modulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor function and actin cytoskeleton plasticity in the CNS.
Gregory W. Schrimsher, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Giles C. McCrary Endowed Chair in Addiction Medicine
Psychiatry
Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
e-mail: Gregory.Schrimsher@TTUHSC.edu
Biosketch
Our research focuses on the cognitive effects of alcohol and substance use and the relationship between cognitive status and treatment outcome including: 1) longitudinal and cross-sectional impact of college-aged binge drinking on cognitive ability, serum biomarkers of neuropathology, and morphometric and functional MRI measures and 2) the association of patterns of lifetime and current alcohol use and changes in cognitive ability (decrease or preservation) during aging and whether these patterns are related to levels of serum biomarkers of neuropathology and or genetic polymorphisms.
Peter J. Syapin, Ph.D.
Professor
Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
e-mail: Peter.Syapin@TTUHSC.edu
Biosketch
Using rodent animal models and in vitro brain cell culture, the Syapin lab studies neuroinflammatory processes involved in chronic and binge alcohol-induced functional alterations and tissue injury to the adolescent and adult brain. Dr. Syapin serves as an animal treatment core resource for the SPAARC.
Alice M. Young, Ph.D.
Professor
Psychology
Texas Tech University
Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
e-mail: Alice.Young@TTUHSC.edu
Biosketch
Our research focus is to translate advances in the understanding of human cognition into improved animal models of learning and memory to better understand the consequences of binge alcohol drinking.
Associate Members
Robert H. Woolard, M.D., FACEP, FAAEM
Professor
Emergency Medicine
Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, El Paso
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
e-mail: robert.woolard@ttuhsc.edu
Biosketch
Dr. Woolard's research focus is in the area of prevention and using brief motivational interventions in the emergency department to change risky behaviors such as alcohol and substance misuse among patients.
Assistant Members
Anna-Kate Fowler, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX
email: Anna-Kate.Fowler@ttuhsc.edu
Aveline Hewetson, Ph.D.
Senior Research Associate
Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX
email: Aveline.Hewetson@ttuhsc.edu
Yukun Chen, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX
email:
Madhusudhanan (Madhu) Narasimhan, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX
email: Madhu.Narasimhan@ttuhsc.edu
Student Members
Rajiv Agrawal, B.S.
Ph.D. student
Pharmacology and Neuroscience program
Texas Tech University Health Scineces Center
Doctoral advisor: Dr. Susan E. Bergeson
Current project: The Role of Microglia in Alcohol-induced Changes in Brain
rajiv.agrawal@ttuhsc.edu
Noreen Watson, B.S.
Ph.D. student
Clinical Psychology program
Texas Tech University
Doctorial Advisor: Dr. Lee M. Cohen
Current project:Examination of the Influence of Social Fears and Self-Medication on Craving in Response to Cigarette Cues.
noreen.watson@ttu.edu
Katie Filtz, B.S.
Ph.D. Student
Clinical Psychology program
Doctoral Advisor: Dr. Lee M. Cohen
Current project: Examination of the Interaction between Opioids and Nicotine Withdrawal
katie.filtz@ttu.edu