A life-span development approach is threaded through his research, so he has examined early development, aging and, more recently, adolescence, all in experimental models.
Research Interests
- behavioral impact of drugs and environmental contaminants on the brain
Dr. Newland's research activity is focused on the application of basic research in behavior analysis to the examination of exposure to toxic substances or drugs that act on the nervous system. In particular he is examining experimental models of abnormal development. This includes the long-term effects of heavy metal exposure, including methylmercury, lead, and manganese, as well as behaviorally active drugs. He has worked with both human and animal models. At present his laboratory is examining the consequences of exposure, during gestation, to methylmercury, omega-3 fatty acids, and selenium (alone and in combination) on development and aging. These substances are thought to impair neural development by their presence (methylmercury) or absence (omega-3 fatty acids, selenium).
Research interests:
- Behavioral pharmacology and toxicology; effects of drugs and toxicants on motor and cognitive functioning; behavioral effects of chemical exposure during development; quantitative analyses of behavior
