Research areas of interest are in behavioral genetics including both behavioral and neurochemical factors related to ingestive behaviors as they relate to alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Major focus has been on 1) the behavioral reaction to the taste of alcohol, and 2) the role of the opioid system in mediating both the reinforcing and aversive properties of alcohol. Many of these studies have been conducted using rats selectively bred for high and low alcohol intake. Current research involves the examination of the role of neuropeptides in modulating alcohol drinking in rats.
