Researchers

Dr. Gordon’s laboratory investigates the neuronal mechanisms that drive positive and negative reinforcement and how these processes are recruited during behaviors related to substance use disorder and feeding. His research centers on the lateral hypothalamus and its role in coordinating brain-wide dopamine release to motivate behavior. To study these questions, the lab combines multi-site fiber photometry, two-photon calcium imaging, optogenetics, and chemogenetics in behaving mice. A long-term goal is to identify interventions that can selectively modulate positive and negative reinforcement for the treatment of substance use disorder and overeating.