General Research Interests:

I am interested in how dopaminergic and amino acid transmitter systems are involved in motivated behaviors, such searching for food or the generation of fear. I am primarily interested in the rostral-caudal motivation gradient of the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcs) and the lateral septum. 

Current Projects: 

Utilizing optogenetic techniques to compare the contributions of "direct"/D1 and "indirect"/D2 pathways in the ventral striatum and lateral septum in the production of appetitive behavior.

Examining how cortical and subcortical afferents influence the NAcs and the lateral septum to induce motivated behaviors and how ambient cues can mediate these effects.

Contrasting the effects of pharmacological agents (e.g., DNQX, muscimol, etc.) and optogenetic manipulations in the NAcs rostro-caudal gradient.