My long-term career goal is to establish a strong research program that involves
mentoring students who are interested in pursuing a career in Neuroscience. My research
interests lie in the application of scientific principles to the study of how the brain
controls behavior. During my training, I have dedicated myself to learning research
skills that I can apply to my research program investigating the neural mechanisms of
drug addiction. More specifically, I have studied the brain mechanisms that mediate the
reinforcing and toxic effects of abused substances, such as nicotine, alcohol, heroin,
and cocaine. Throughout my career, I have combined various behavioral and biochemical
tools to study drug abuse. These include place conditioning, self-administration,
locomotor behavior, anxiety-like behavior, and intracranial brain self-stimulation. I
have also applied techniques such as in vivo microdialysis, receptor binding, second
messenger assays, quantitative PCR, and Western blot analysis. As part of my career
goals, I hope to continue to learn new biochemical skills that I can apply to my research
using state-of-the-art research skills. Part of my goal is to also maintain an
independently funded research program. In 2005, I was awarded with a 5-year (R01 grant)
examining developmental differences to the rewarding and aversive effects of nicotine.
This award was recently extended for 5 additional years via a Presidential Early Career
Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Another very important goal is to mentor
students. My desire to mentor a diverse population of students is reflected in my work at
UTEP, which is a minority serving institution with 85% Hispanic students. I have enjoyed
working with students, and I hope to continue to build my research program on the basis
of strong student-mentor relationships.
Alcohol papers
Book chapters
Cocaine Papers
Manuscripts in press
Nicotine papers
Opiate papers
Poly-drug Papers
Review papers
No subject area
