Scripps Research Joint Appointments

Department of Neuroscience
Faculty, Graduate Program

Research Focus

A central problem in treating drug addiction is the prevalence of relapse to drug use even after protracted intervals of forced or self-imposed abstinence. My laboratory is involved in programs that seek to identify new pharmacological targets for relapse prevention, a challenging factor in the treatment of post-dependent individuals. These projects investigate the neurobiological basis of chronic vulnerability to relapse, with an emphasis on identifying neural substrates that are responsible for the distinctly compulsive nature of drug (i.e., cocaine, alcohol, opioids, nicotine) seeking compared with behavior that is motivated by natural rewards that are essential for survival, well-being, and "healthy" hedonic pursuits. We use animal models of relapse and systematically compare drug vs. nondrug (usually a highly palatable food reward) in animals with and without a history of drug dependence. These models include cue-, stress-, and prime-induced drug-seeking behavior that are known factors that can induce intense craving and trigger relapse in abstinent individuals. Using a combination of original molecular techniques (i.e., AAV, DREADDs) and gold-standard animal models, this work has been a seminal contribution to the field in that the hypocretin (orexin) system is strongly engaged in drug-seeking behavior. In addition, this work made the key link showing that the hypocretin transmission in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus region not originally thought to be part of “drug addiction circuitry,” is implicated in modulating drug-directed behavior.

Education

B.S., Cellular Biology and Physiology, Université Montpellier II, France, 1989
M.S., Physiology and Pharmacology, Université Montpellier II, France, 1990
Diploma, Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies, Reproduction & Development, Université Montpellier I, France, 1991
Ph.D., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Université Montpellier II, France, 1996

Professional Experience

Positions and Scientific Appointments

2019-present  Associate Professor, Dept. of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2019                Assistant Professor, Dept. of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2017-2019       Assistant Professor, Dept. of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2017-present  Member, Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2012-2017       Assistant Professor, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Dept., The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2012                Assistant Professor, Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Dept., The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2004-2012       Staff Scientist, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2002-2004       Senior Research Associate, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

1997-2002       Research Associate, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA.

1997                Postdoctoral Fellow, Institut de Recherche Jouveinal, Fresnes, France

1992-1995       Initiation of Higher Education Center, Teaching Diploma, University of Montpellier, France

 

Awards & Professional Activities

Professional Memberships 

2021-present  International Narcotics Research Conference, Member

2020-present  European Behavioural Pharmacology Society, Member

2016-present  International Drug Abuse Research Society, Full Member

2009-present  College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Member

2009-present  American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Member

2010-2013      Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, The Scripps Research Institute, Regular Scientific Member

2006-2010      Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, The Scripps Research Institute, Alternate Scientific Member

2005-present  Research Society on Alcoholism, Member

1998-present  International Brain Research Organization, Member

1998-present  Society for Neuroscience, Member

1995-present  Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, Member

1995-present  French Society for Neurosciences, Member

Honors

2010               Travel Award, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, to attend “Alcoholism and Stress: A Framework for        Future Treatment Strategies” meeting in Volterra, Italy (May 2011)

1997               Singer Polignac Foundation Fellowship, France

1997               Simone and Cino Del Duca Foundation Fellowship, France

1997               Institut de Recherche Jouveinal Fellowship, France

1995-1996       ATER (Temporary Research and Teaching Assistant) Fellowship, Ministry of Education and Research, France

1992-1995       Teaching Fellowship, Ministry of Education and Research, France

1992-1995       Research Fellowship, Ministry of Education and Research, France

Advisory Activities

Study Sections

NIH/NIDA                                2020/10 PMDA (05/27/2020-05/28/2020); 2020/01 ZRG1 BBBP-X (03) M (11/01/2019); 2018/10 PMDA (05/30/2018-05/31/2018); 2018/01 PMDA (09/28/2017-09/29/2017); 2017/10 PMDA (05/31/2017-06/01/2017)

Veteran Affairs                                                2020/01 ZRD1 NURA-J (01) 1 (12/06/2019)

TSRI                                        Scripps Translational Institute (SRTI) UL1 TR002550-03 Pilot Awards (04/17/2020)

The Tyrolean Science Fund   Tiroler Wissenschaftsförderung TWF-2020-1-53, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria (09/27/2020)

 

Links

Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography

The Scripps Research Institute's Alcohol Research Center of Excellence (TSRI-ARC) - P60

The Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research