Principal Investigator:

Erik J. Garcia, PhD

My research lab is at the intersection of pharmacology, psychology, and neuroscience. My lab researches the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to compulsive drug consumption and substance use disorders. My research team and I use a variety of instrumental and Pavlovian conditioning models coupled with behavioral pharmacology experiments to illuminate how the brain changes (if it does) following illicit drug exposure. Our purpose is to discover and/or repurpose FDA-approved medications for the treatment of SUD. Our final aim is to use our data to drive empirically-informed drug policy with the simple goal to enhance recovery and motivate responsible drug consumption.