Shannon L
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB)
Expertise
Neuroscience of Substance Use Disorders, Sex Differences, Psychopharmacology, Neuropharmacology, Neuropsychopharmacology
Bio
Howdy! I'm Shannon (she/her/hers), a Neuroscience and Behavior PhD candidate at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I study how stress and alcohol interactions impact neurocircuitry and behavior by using a mouse model of alcohol use disorder. I'm passionate about investigating the different ways women develop alcohol use disorder compared to men. I've always been an advocate for women's health and believe it is important to understand how women develop various substance use disorders to gain a better understanding of what causes problematic substance use despite negative consequences. My overall purpose for investigating alcohol use disorder is to promote knowledge about the public health risks related to this disorder and to possibly help develop treatments tailored to individual needs. When I'm not working on my thesis, you can find me cozied up at home with a nice cup of tea, enjoying a nice hike, or finding my next favorite sandwich shop around Santa Barbara.Project ideas
Battle of The Sexes: Exploring Addiction in Men and Women
Historically, alcohol use disorder has been largely diagnosed in men. However, women have increased rates of this disorder and the development of this condition comes at a faster rate in women. This project will allow you to explore how men and women differ in various areas of alcohol use disorder including neuropharmacology, behavior and social factors. If you are interested in other substance use disorders (e.g., opioids, cannabis) this project would be perfect as well. You can highlight what you have learned from this project by creating an infographic, poster presentation, or a three minute research slam. If you are more interested in refining your writing skills, this project would also be a great opportunity to write a scientific review. Along with gaining knowledge on this subject, you will also be forming your own research questions that may lead to important answers as to how this disorder impacts others and why individuals continue to abuse substances regardless of negative consequences.