Neurobiological determinants of nicotine dependence with particular emphasis on developing more appropriate models to examine the clinical efficacy of smoking cessation agents.
The beneficial effects of nicotine and related analogues on various cognitive measures such as attention and working memory with its potential use for treating impairments associated with neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and dementia.
Exploiting new technologies such as small animal functional magnetic resonance imaging to capture neuronal activity associated with adaptive processes such as the clinical efficacy of antidepressants, citalopram and bupropion.
Current work is focussed on establishing an ethical model to assess pain relief using rodent intravenous self-administration methods.
In collaboration with Dr Fiona LeBeau to examine neuronal adaptations following chronic exposure to cocaine in rats.
To examine the psychological aspects of goal-directed and habitual control of nicotine-seeking behaviour (in collaboration with Dr Lee Hogarth, Nottingham University.
Currently supervise 3 postgraduate students. Always looking for new students who have an interest in utilizing invivo behavioural models to address important questions in psychiatry.
An active executive member of the British Association of Psychopharmacology (BAP) serving as the Preclinical external affairs secretary.
Received generous funds from the BBSRC and also small contributions from pharmaceutical industry.
Have successfully provided contract research services to pharmaceutical industries with a focus on examination on abuse liability of psychoactive substances.
Biomedical Sciences with Honours
Pharmacology with Honours
Masters In Neuroscience
Supervise PhD students in Behavioural Neuroscience