Neurobiology of drug addiction. Neurochemistry and electrophysiology of amphetamine locomotor sensitization and impulsive decision-making

I have mentored 14 undergraduate theses and 2 Ph.D. theses (co-tutor).

Specifically in the last three years (2015 al 2017), I have mentored 4 undregraduate thesis: Leandro Montecinos Pardo: “Effect of the kappa opioid receptor antagonist nor-BNI on impulsive choice, using the delay discounting paradigm”/2017, in progress); Catalina Paz Ruiz Salazar ("Analysis of dopamine transporter activity in the dorsolateral striatum of amphetamine sensitized rats"/2017); Gladys Sepulveda Vásquez (“Effect of blockade of kappa opioid receptors in dopaminergic neurotransmission in the dorsolateral striatum of rats treated repeatedly with amphetamine”/2015); Victor Azocar Garrido "Regulation of extracellular dopamine levels in the rat dorsolateral striatum: study with microdialysis no-net flux"/2015).
I have co-tutored 2 Ph.D thesis: Macarena Vergara ("Role of dopamine receptor type 4 of the prelímbic cortex in the consolidation of fear unconditioned"/2017) and Angélica Escobar “Interaction between the D2 dopamine receptor and the kappa opioid receptor in a rat model of the obsessive-compulsive disorder”
Currently, I am mentoring 3 Ph.D. thesis : Rafael Ignacio Gatica Hernandez (“Individual differences in amphetamine sensitization: Role of dorsolateral striatum”/2015); Macarena Moreno (“Dysfunction in oxytocinergic and dopaminergic systems on impulsive choice behavior, as measured by the delay discounting task"/2016); Enzo Perez Valenzuela “Effect of repeated exposure of win 55212-2 during adolescence on striatal dopaminergic transmission in adult rats”/2016). During March to August, Enzo Perez is carried out a short stay at the laboratory of Dr. Anthony Grace, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, USA.

-

In the last three years, I have been carried out differents outreach activities aimed at school children and at the level of state agencies. I highlight two activities of high relevance for the diffusion of the neurobiology of addiction and its implication in public policies:

1-The spanish translation of the book “The Addicted Brain” by the leading researcher Dr. Michael Kuhar. (Authors: Katia Gysling, José Fuentealba, Liliana Corvalán). El Cerebro Adicto (The Addicted Brain), Ediciones UC, 2016. (ISBN Nº: 978-956-14-1804-2.
2-I have an active advisor expert of the National Service for the Prevention and Rehabilitation of Drug and Alcohol (SENDA). In 2015 I worked on the document entitled "Construction of the Alcohol Action Plan SENDA-MINSAL 2017-2020 " designed to implement public policies for the prevention and rehabilitation of alcohol consumption in the Chilean population.