Our motivated behaviors and addiction research is focused on exploring the neural circuits and molecular mechanisms underlying reward processing, decision-making, and substance dependence. Through our research, we strive to shed light on the complexities of addiction and develop effective interventions to address this pressing public health issue.

Motivated Behaviors & Addiction Research Labs

Calu Lab

The Calu Lab is studying brain mechanisms underlying individual differences in natural reward learning, motivation, and behavioral flexibility. While many individuals try drugs of abuse, only a subset transition to addiction. Studying individual differences in addiction vulnerability is a critical step toward understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of motivation for drugs and their impact on the brain and behavior.

• Donna Calu, PhD, Principal Investigator
• Calu Lab website

Cheer Lab

The Cheer Lab aims to understand the physiological function of the endogenous cannabinoid system with a particular emphasis on normal motivated behaviors as well as its potential therapeutic role in pathological states such as addiction.

• Joseph F. Cheer, PhD, Principal Investigator
• Cheer Lab website

Jhou Lab

The Jhou Lab has a particular interest in individual differences in cocaine- and opioid-seeking, and in interactions of dopamine, GABA, and serotonin systems in the brain. Much of our work focuses on the VTA, rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) and connected areas, such as the cortex, habenula, and striatum.

• Thomas Jhou, PhD, Principal Investigator
• Jhou Lab website

Juarez Lab

The Juarez Lab is delineating how functionally diverse ventral tegmental area dopamine neuron subpopulations modulate opioid reinforcement and associative learning across the opioid exposure cycle. We aim to understand how the intrinsic and extrinsic regulators of activity in dopamine neuron subpopulations adapt across these experiences.

• Barbara Juarez, PhD, Principal Investigator
• Juarez Lab website

Lobo Lab

The Lobo Lab has demonstrated divergent roles in the two-ventral striatal (nucleus accumbens, or NAc) projection neurons in the rewarding effects of cocaine and morphine. Our work continues to study the two striatal projection neuron subtypes, as well as their downstream brain target regions, in psychiatric diseases including drug abuse, mood disorders and stereotypy disorders.

• Mary Kay Lobo, PhD, Principal Investigator

Venniro Lab

The Venniro Lab focuses on understanding the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms guiding substance use disorders and motivated behavior. We are also interested in social behavior and its role in neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as improving the translational utility of animal models.

• Marco Venniro, PhD, Principal Investigator
• Venniro Lab website