Seminar – Mark J. Ferris, Ph.D.

The overarching research interest in the Ferris laboratory is to understand the neurobiology of motivation, reward, and learning. They seek to understand how learning-induced changes in neurobiology shape goal-directed/motivated behavior and habit formation. The Ferris laboratory investigates the function of specific receptors (e.g., nicotinic receptors) and rapid neurotransmitter signaling (particularly interactions of dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine) under normal learning conditions and in neuropsychiatric disorders like drug addiction, anxiety, and depression.

.