The article entitled, “Reduction of ethanol sensitization by α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in DBA/2J mice,” was accepted for publication in the journal Experimental & Clinical Psychopharmacology. Authors include Helen Kamens and Carley Miller.

Colton Ruggery won 2nd place at the 2019 BBH Research Forum for his poster titled,”The α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist 18-Methoxycoronaridine decreases binge-like ethanol consumption in adult C57BL/6J mice.” Congratulations Colton!

Aidan Peat won 1st place in social and behavioral science for his poster titled, “Adolescent social stress and genetic background alter morphine sensitization in C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice.”  The Undergraduate Exhibition showcases undergraduate students’ research endeavors.  Congratulations Aidan!

Undergraduates Colton Ruggery, Grant Swisher, and Aidan Peat from the Kamens lab presented their research at the university-wide Penn State 2019 Undergraduate Exhibition for Research.

Undergraduate senior Colton Ruggery presented his work towards his honor’s thesis entitled, “The α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist 18-Methoxycoronaridine decreases binge-like ethanol consumption in adult C57BL/6J mice.”

Undergraduate senior Grant Swisher presented his work entitled, “The effect of adolescent social stress and genetic background on morphine consumption in C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice.”Undergraduate sophomore Aidan Peat presented his work entitled, “Adolescent social stress and genetic background alter morphine sensitization in C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice.”

Undergraduate students Colton, Grant, and Aidan presented work from the Kamens lab at the Biobehavioral Health Research Forum at Penn State on April 15th. The purpose of this research forum was to increase recognition of undergraduate student research and provide a forum for students to present their work to each other and to faculty. Great work Colton, Grant, and Aidan!

Honors undergraduate senior Colton Ruggery with his thesis adviser Dr. Helen Kamens

Undergraduate senior Grant Swisher

Undergraduate sophomore Aidan Peat

Congratulations to 4th year graduate student Constanza Paulina Silva Gallardo on receiving the competitive Prevention and Methodology Training Program (PAMT; T32 DA017629) fellowship! This fellowship is supported through two research centers at Penn State: the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center and the Methodology Center. The purpose of this fellowship is to make a unique contribution to the nation’s training of prevention scientists and to the NIDA portfolio by fostering careers that focus on integrating drug abuse prevention science and innovative methodology. Congratulations Constanza!

Constanza Silva Gallardo a 4th year PhD candidate gave an oral presentation entitled, “Biological Consequences of Reduced Nicotine-Content Cigarettes and Implications for Regulation.” Constanza also was recognized for receiving the Elizabeth J. Susman Enhancement Fund in BB H. Congratulations Constanza!

Undergraduate senior Colton Ruggery presented his entitled, “The Effects of the α3β4 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Antagonist, 18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC), on Alcohol-Related Behaviors.” This poster encompasses work from Colton’s honor’s thesis and was supported by an Erickson Discovery Grant.

Congratulations to undergraduate junior Kylie Stuhltrager who was awarded summer research funding from the College of Health and Human Development at The Pennsylvania State University. Kylie will conduct an independent project this summer to determine how adolescent social stress alters the normal developmental trajectory in the brain and neuronal responses to stress in adulthood. Congratulations Kylie!

The article entitled, “Pharmacokinetic profile of Spectrum reduced nicotine cigarettes,” was accepted for publication in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research. Authors include Helen Kamens, Constanza Silva, Russell Nye, Carley Miller, Nayantara Singh, Joseph Sipko, Neil Trushin, Dongxiao Sun, Steven Branstetter, Joshua Muscat, John Richie, and Jonathan Foulds. Read this article Here.

Congratulations to undergraduate junior Rachel Bartlett who was awarded an Erickson Discovery Grant. Rachel will conduct an independent project this summer to determine how adolescent social stress alters opioid receptor gene expression. Congratulations Rachel!