The Substance Use & Neuroscience “SUN” Lab

Research at the SUN lab lies at the intersection of several fields, including neuroscience, psychology, and psychopharmacology. We primarily utilize human electroencephalogram, brain stimulation, and pharmacological methods to study the brain as it relates to substance use disorders and related problems. Our long-term goal is to develop neuroscience-informed, evidence-based treatments for those living with substance use disorders. Some of the topics we are interested in include identifying biomarkers of reward and emotional functioning that can be targeted with brain stimulation treatments, understanding the interplay between stress or posttraumatic stress symptoms and substance use, and recognizing the role sleep plays in recovery from substance use in order to develop new treatments.

We are a highly collaborative lab, working within the Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction (CNRA) which is made up of clinical psychologists, physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, statisticians, clinicians, psychology interns and practicum students, research assistants, and visiting undergraduate students.