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.
Graduate Students
Emili Kaufenberg
Emili is joined the lab in the fall of 2023. She is interested in behavioral and neural mechanisms of substance use and reinforcement learning
Undergraduate Students
Bella Circo
Bella joined the lab in August 2023. She is researching how opioid self-administration alters white matter tracts.
Gavin Brabec
Jade Escarsega
Jade is an undergraduate studying Neuroscience. She joined Dr. García’s lab in October of 2021. She plans on researching the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
Lisa Johansen
Lisa is an undergraduate studying Neuroscience. She joined Dr. Garcia's lab in August 2023. She is examining the effects of psychedelic drugs on food consumption.
Jenna Kramer
Jenna is a Neuroscience major and will be joining the lab in April 2024.
Ella Kirkpatrick
Ella is an undergraduate studying Neuroscience. She joined Dr. Garcia's lab in January 2024. She plans to pursue a healthcare career and is interested in psychedelic drugs and research
Carter Richardson
Carter Richardson is an undergraduate Neuroscience and Chemistry major. He is examining how psychedelic drugs influence the acquisition of opioid reinforcement
Tommy Stevens
Tommy joined the lab in January 2024. He is interested in a alternative measures of reward and behavior. He will be applying to medical school.