'The Vulnerable Brain'

Renowned Neuroscientist Yasmin Hurd to Present "Insights into Neurobiology of Addiction" at Aug. 13 Research Symposium

Internationally renowned neuroscientist Yasmin Hurd, Ph.D., will present "The Vulnerable Brain: Insights into the Neurobiology of Addiction" on Thursday, Aug. 13, as the 2015 Scholar-in-Residence for the 3rd Annual PPS Research Symposium. 

Hurd's presentation will be 11:00 a.m.-11:40 a.m. Aug. 13 in the Rockwell Pavilion on the second floor of the M.D. Anderson Library at UH Main Campus. Hurd's presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Downoad seminar flier (.pdf)

Hurd is Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Pharmacology & Systems Therapeutics as well as the Ward-Coleman Chair in Translational Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York. She is also Director of the Center for Addictive Disorders in the Mount Sinai Behavioral Health System.

Her translational research examines the neurobiology of drug abuse and related psychiatric disorders. She is highly published in the field and leads a team of investigators in molecular biology, behavioral neuropharmacology, genetics and neuroimaging to study the human brain as well as translational animal models.

Using multidisciplinary research approaches, her work has provided significant insights into the complex neurobiological mechanisms underlying addictive behavior as well as the molecular neuropathology associated with genetic vulnerability to addiction. Moreover, her novel research explores epigenetic mechanisms associated with developmental cannabis exposure that have long-term effects into adulthood and across generations. Additionally, her basic science research is complimented by clinical laboratory investigations for the development of new treatment interventions.

Hurd has served as the Director of the MD/PhD program at the Icahn School of Medicine and was the founding Chair of the Diversity in Biomedical Research Committee. She currently serves on the Executive Committees of the Friedman Brain Institute and Women in Science and Medicine at Mount Sinai as well as senior faculty member to Students for Equal Opportunity in Science. She has also held many national leadership roles including being the current Chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Chair of the NIH Study Section on Pathophysiology of Mental Disorders and Addictions.

For more information on the seminar, please contact PPS Department Program Daniel Chang at 713-743-7757.