SPAARC 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.
Charles M. Bradley, Ph.D.
Professor and Associate Chairman
Pathology
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
e-mail: Charles.Bradley@TTUHSC.edu
Biosketch
Dr. Bradley, as Director of Chemical Pathology, oversees the assays for biomarkers of binge alcohol severity in both human and rodent studies. Dr. Bradley serves as a clinical chemistry core provider for the SPAARC.
Lee M. Cohen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Psychology, Director of Clinical Training
Texas Tech University
Departments of Pediatrics and Neuropsychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
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.
Elizabeth J. Miller, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
e-mail: Elizabeth.Miller@TTUHSC.edu
Biosketch
Dr. Miller participates in the clinical chemistry and genetics core functions of the SPAARC.
Parastoo Momeni, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
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
Texas Tech University
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.
Assistant 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
Neurospychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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 of Psychology
Texas Tech University
Professor 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.