Dr. Rodolfo Flores Garcia
Department of Psychology
Significance of the work
Approach-avoidance conflict resolution is dysregulated in addiction. Students in the SMARTMIND program will investigate how alcohol drinking shapes prefrontal cortex information processing and risk-taking behavior during motivational conflict.
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is crucial for executive function and decision making. Understanding how alcohol impacts PFC function could help understand the brain mechanisms involved in addiction and inform treatments for this disorder.
Research Questions:
- How Does Alcohol Influence the Resolution of Conflicting Motivations?
- Explore how alcohol consumption affects decision-making processes when individuals face conflicting choices.
- In What Ways Does Alcohol Alter Brain Activity to Increase Risk-Taking Behavior?
- Investigate how alcohol impacts the brain's prefrontal circuits, leading to changes in information processing that promote risk-taking behaviors.
- Which Neuromodulator Systems Are Affected by Alcohol Consumption?
- Identify and study the specific neuromodulators altered by alcohol within the prefrontal cortex, shedding light on the biochemical pathways involved.
Methods and Techniques You Will Learn:
- Animal Behavior Studies:
- Engage in hands-on experiments to observe and analyze animal behavior, gaining insights into how alcohol affects decision-making and motivation.
- Advanced Behavioral Analysis Using Computer Vision:
- Utilize computer vision approaches for deep behavioral analysis, interpreting complex behavioral data with cutting-edge technology.
- In Vivo Imaging:
- Acquire skills in in vivo imaging techniques to visualize neural activity in real-time, exploring how alcohol influences brain function.
- Stereotaxic Surgery:
- Receive training in stereotaxic surgical methods to precisely target and manipulate specific brain regions, enhancing understanding of neural circuits.
- Data Analysis with Python:
- Develop proficiency in Python programming for data analysis, enabling the handling of large datasets and extraction of meaningful patterns from experimental results.
Opportunity Highlights:
- Hands-On Experience:
- Work directly with state-of-the-art neuroscience equipment and software, building practical skills that are highly valued in research settings.
- Interdisciplinary Learning:
- Combine principles from neuroscience, psychology, computer science, and biology to approach research questions holistically.
- Mentorship and Collaboration:
- Collaborate with a team of experienced researchers and receive personalized mentorship to support your academic and professional growth.
- Contribution to Meaningful Research:
- Play a significant role in advancing our understanding of how alcohol affects the brain and behavior, potentially informing interventions and public health strategies.
We invite enthusiastic undergraduate students to join our lab and contribute to groundbreaking research on how alcohol affects the brain and behavior. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with advanced neuroscience techniques and be part of a collaborative research team.
