Research in motivation and emotion investigates the neural circuits and signaling pathways that drive motivational states and emotional responses.
Faculty study how brain systems regulate reward, stress, mood and goal-directed behavior, as well as how disruptions in these systems contribute to maladaptive decision-making. Using methods such as behavioral assays, neural recording, neuroimaging and optogenetics, researchers examine the biological basis of emotional regulation. This work informs new approaches for treating conditions including depression, anxiety and substance use disorders.
Faculty Mentors
| Name | Department | Research Area | Disease Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karina Alviña | Neuroscience | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Psychiatric Disorders |
| Jennifer L. Bizon | Neuroscience | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia; Sensory Systems | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Substance Use Disorder |
| Adriaan W. Bruijnzeel | Psychiatry | Motivation and Emotion | Substance Use Disorder |
| Darragh P. Devine | Psychology | Cognition; Development; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion | Psychiatric Disorders |
| Marcelo Febo | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Substance Use Disorder |
| Charles J. Frazier | Pharmacodynamics (College of Pharmacy) | Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia | Substance Use Disorder |
| Habibeh Khoshbouei | Neuroscience | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia; Neuroimmunity | Substance Use Disorder |
| Damon G. Lamb | Psychiatry | Cognition; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Psychiatric Disorders |
| Mark H. Lewis | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion | Psychiatric Disorders |
| Ben Lewis | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia; Sensory Systems | Substance Use Disorder |
| Ron J. Mandel | Neuroscience | Development; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Parkinson’s Disease; Psychiatric Disorders |
| Christopher J. Martyniuk | Physiological Sciences | Development; Motivation and Emotion | Psychiatric Disorders |
| Anatoly E. Martynyuk | Anesthesiology | Development; Motivation and Emotion | Psychiatric Disorders |
| Carol Mathews | Psychiatry | Cognition; Development; Motivation and Emotion; Motor Systems; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Sensory Systems | Psychiatric Disorders |
| Sara Jo Nixon | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Substance Use Disorder |
| Nancy Padilla-Coreano | Neuroscience | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion | Psychiatric Disorders |
| Leah R. Reznikov | Physiological Sciences | Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia | Neuromuscular Disorders; Psychiatric Disorders |
| Barry Setlow | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Psychiatric Disorders; Substance Use Disorder |
| Aparna A. Wagle Shukla | Neurology | Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Spinal Cord Injury; Parkinson’s Disease; Psychiatric Disorders |
| Brandon Warren | Pharmacodynamics | Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia | Psychiatric Disorders; Substance Use Disorder |
| Dan Wesson | Pharmacology and Therapeutics | Cognition; Motivation and Emotion; Sensory Systems | Substance Use Disorder |
| John B. Williamson | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Psychiatric Disorders |
Key Affiliations
Center for Addiction Research & Education
Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment
Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory Clinical Translational Research
Center for OCD, Anxiety & Related Disorders
Center for Smell and Taste
