Dr. Rodolfo J. Flores
Dr. Rodolfo J. Flores investigates the role of neuromodulators—chemicals that regulate brain activity—in the prefrontal cortex, a critical region involved in decision-making, motivation, and emotion regulation. His research focuses on how the neuromodulator acetylcholine influences brain circuits during motivational conflict, and how stress and alcohol alter these circuits and behavior. By using advanced tools to both observe and manipulate brain activity, Dr. Flores aims to understand how dysfunction in this brain region may contribute to mental health issues like addiction and depression.
UTEP Faculty Profile
Sample Publications:
Wang, H., Flores, R.J., Yarur, H.E., Limoges, A., Bravo-Rivera, H., Casello, S.M., Loomba, N., Enriquez-Traba, J., Arenivar, M., Wang, Q. and Ganley, R., 2024. Prefrontal cortical dynorphin peptidergic transmission constrains threat-driven behavioral and network states. Neuron.
Dong, C., Gowrishankar, R., Jin, Y., He, X.J., Gupta, A., Wang, H., Sayar-Atasoy, N., Flores, R.J., Mahe, K., Tjahjono, N. and Liang, R., 2024. Unlocking opioid neuropeptide dynamics with genetically encoded biosensors. Nature Neuroscience
Flores, R.J., Uribe, K.P., Swalve, N. and O'Dell, L.E., 2019. Sex differences in nicotine intravenous self-administration: A meta-analytic review. Physiology & behavior, 203, pp.42-50.
Flores, R.J., Pipkin, J.A., Uribe, K.P., Perez, A. and O’Dell, L.E., 2016. Estradiol promotes the rewarding effects of nicotine in female rats. Behavioural brain research, 307, pp.258-263.
Flores, R.J., Cruz, B., Uribe, K.P., Correa, V.L., Arreguin, M.C., Carcoba, L.M., Mendez, I.A. and O’Dell, L.E., 2020. Estradiol promotes and progesterone reduces anxiety-like behavior produced by nicotine withdrawal in female rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 119, p.104694.
Contact Information
Email: rfloresgarcia@utep.edu
Phone:
Fax:
Vowell Hall 205
Personal Information
Ph.D., University of Texas at El Paso (2019)
Assistant Professor
Courses
PSYC 4341 Motivation and Emotion
