The University of Toledo, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, M.D. Candidate
Education
B.A. - Biology and Neuroscience - Miami University (OH)
Research Interests
Benjamin joined the Addiction Biology Unit in June 2020 and left NIDA IRP in May 2022. During his undergraduate training in Miami University, he participated in a neuroscience research project focused on understanding how psychostimulants (amphetamines) impact a neural circuitry involved in reward and motivation using chemogenetic techniques. He is now participating in our research projects aimed to dissecting whether and how GABAergic neurons in the ventral striatum (N. accumbens) and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) are involved in opioid reward and relapse. To answer these questions, he uses intravenous drug self-administration paradigms combined with optogenetics and Ca++ signal-based fiber photometry. In addition, he also participates in several other DAT- and cannabis-based medication development projects in experimental animals. After his two years of post-bac training at NIDA IRP, he plans to pursue his M.D. degree and become a clinical physician.
