Steering Committee/Affiliated faculty

Background

Although alcohol and other drugs pervade many aspects of society, it is not completely understood why individuals respond differently, or why some individuals succumb to alcoholism. Additionally, the underlying differences in sensitivity and tolerance across development are not understood. By understanding how some individuals vary in sensitivity and how individuals adapt to alcohol exposure, better therapeutic methods may be developed to treat alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The brain has an amazing ability to regulate itself in response to various stimuli such as alcohol. Work in Werner's lab explores molecular targets within the brain such as receptors and intracellular pathways that may play a role in alcohol action. They employ many molecular, biochemical and neuropharmacological methods in cellular and animal models to assess the role of various gene-products in alcohol’s effects during development. Additionally, their lab is interested in the molecular basis of various neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Education

• PhD, University of Pittsburgh
• BS, Ashland University

Research Interests

• Alcohol and anesthetic action
• addiction
• neuroplasticity
• neuropharmacology
• molecular genetics