About Me

My laboratory is interested in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying substance use disorders. Specifically, we investigate the impacts of chronic drug exposure on the functional changes of monoamine transporters (e.g. dopamine transporters) and GPCRs (e.g. dopamine D2/D3 receptors, mGluR2, opioid receptors, 5-HT receptors) that are associated with drug-seeking and taking behavior. We use a combination of genetic, molecular, biochemical, proteomic, confocal microscopy and behavior techniques in our research. My laboratory has constructed and produced lentivirus and adeno-associated virus (AAV) that can be used to overexpress or knock down specific genes of our interest in rodent brain.

Active projects:

  1. Chronic cocaine exposure dysregulates dopamine transporter function through modulation of brain lipids (e.g. cholesterol and ceramide)
  2. Chronic intermittent ethanol exposure impairs mGluR2 function and increases anxiety-like behavior via modulation of brain cholesterol content
  3. Cocaine self-administration alters the splicing events of dopamine D3 receptors
  4. The role of brain angiotensin in regulation of aging and cognition

Research Laboratory

Chen Lab: Investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neuroadaptations to chronic exposure of drugs of abuse including psychostimulants and alcohol and identify potential new targets for treatment of drug abuse.

Educational Program Involvement

Graduate Programs in Neuroscience
Program Research Interest: Addiction and Substance Abuse, Behavioral and Systems Neurobiology, Development and Plasticity, Molecular Neurobiology, Neurological Disease and Aging, Neuropharmacology, Sensory Neurobiology


Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology PhD
Program Research Interest: Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Cardiovascular Physiology and Hypertension, Regenerative Medicine, Neuro- and Behavioral Pharmacology, Cancer Therapeutics Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Lifespan Physiology.