
Dr. Tony Riley
For the past 40 years, Dr. Riley has been involved in research focusing primarily on animal models of drug addiction.
Research
<>Meet Dr. Tony Riley - Director of the Psychopharmacology Lab>Dr. Tony Riley describes the research that happens within the Psychopharmacology Lab.
The Psychopharmacology Laboratory at American University focuses on a variety of research issues, all of which have animal models of drug use and abuse as their basis. We examine the genetic and epigenetic components of drug intake, prenatal and adolescent drug exposure, drug interactions, the neuropharmacological mediation of drug effects, the molecular-level biochemical mechanisms of neuroplasticity induced by chronic drug administration and the interaction of the reinforcing and aversive effects underlying drug acceptability.
These assessments are made through a variety of animal behavioral models, including drug self-administration, conditioned place preference and aversion, conditioned taste aversion, schedule-controlled responding, drug discrimination learning, locomotor testing and optogenetic manipulation. Additionally, we utilize several histological assays, such as fluorescence microscopy, qPCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), among others.
The lab consists of a core space surrounded by three behavioral running rooms and an additional room dedicated to drug storage and preparation, as well as wet assays and histology. The graduate student office is adjacent to the lab. All animal housing is in an adjacent secure facility which can house up to 500 animals in six individual temperature-controlled housing rooms. This area also houses food and bedding storage, cage and bottle washing facilities and common rooms for injections and surgeries.
Briana J. Hempel
For the past 40 years, Dr. Riley has been involved in research focusing primarily on animal models of drug addiction.
Dr. López-Arnau researches the synthetic cathinones (aka "bath salts").
Hayley studies the behavioral effects of traditional psychostimulants and synthetic cathinones.
Katie's research is focused on characterizing the synthetic cathinones.
My current project entails using a novel multichannel electrode with FSCV to detect neurotransmitters artificially and soon in tissue.
Jacob is learning skills in the psychopharmacology lab to use in the future as a special agent.
I have grown increasingly dedicated to expanding my abilities into the field of medical research and public health over the course of my undergraduate career.
Genevieve Gottlieb plans on attending graduate school to earn a PhD, either in Clinical Psychology or Forensic Psychology.
Robby’s research interests include animal models of drug abuse, drug interactions, behavioral toxicology, chronic drug administration, and incentive motivation.