Thesis Title: Intravenous self-administration of alcohol in mice selectively bred for high- and low- alcohol preference

Graduate Dept: Psychology

Degree Sought: PhD

Research Advisor: Nicholas Grahame, PhD

Lab Website: Click Here

Teacher Partner: Andrea Rigdon

Partner School: Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School

School URL: Click Here

Research Goal

To help better understand the influence of genes vs. environment in detrimental behaviors such as addiction and abuse of drugs and alcohol.

Description of Your Research

I work with mice that have been selectively bred to possess genes involved in excessive alcohol consumption, and their counterparts that do not possess these genes. I am involved in behavioral classification of these mice, including using intra-venous self-administration of alcohol in order to better understand the influence of these genes. By surgically implanting a catheter that allows the mouse to press a lever to self-administer alcohol directly into the bloodstream, I can observe the reinforcing properties of alcohol on these mice without requiring oral consumption of alcohol, which is strongly affected by taste components of alcohol.

Examples Of How My Research Is Integrated Into My GK-12 Experience

As a result of the GK-12 summer institute, I have made it my primary goal to incorporate basic scientific investigative methods into classroom experiences while capturing the students’ attention with “real science” examples.

Currently, My GK-12 Classroom Is Investigating