Arlene Martínez-Rivera, PhD

Research Interests

My primary interest as a neurobiology researcher is to understand the molecular basis of neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly substance use disorders (SUDs). My research training has focused on using animal models and leveraging both basic and clinical findings on genetics and environmental factors to enhance our understanding of SUDs at the molecular, cellular and circuit level, to guide new therapeutic avenues. I have utilized a combination of viral genetic strategies, genetic mouse models, chemogenetics, in vivo optical imaging, and behavior to address my scientific questions. At this present time, I am currently working on a pre-clinical opioid reward project as part of Dr. Anjali Rajadhyaksha's lab, examining whether targeting the endocannabinoid (eCB) system can interfere with the rewarding properties of the opioid’s morphine and oxycodone, without affecting their analgesic properties. The eCB signaling pathway is regulated in part by MAG Lipase (MAGL), the primary catabolic enzyme for the endogenous cannabinoid, 2-AG. Using morphine and oxycodone conditioned place preference (CPP) and oxycodone self-administration (SA), we have found that pharmacological inhibition of MAGL abolishes morphine's rewarding effects while preserving its analgesic effects. The goal of my research is to expand upon these findings to determine if MAGL inhibitors can be used as a potential treatment for opioid dependence and as an adjunctive medication given in combination with opioids for the management of pain.

Memberships

• Society for Neuroscience
• International Behavioral Neuroscience Society
• International Cannabinoid Research Society

Honors & Awards

• Diversity Supplement Recipient Scholar, National Institute on Drug Abuse/NIH (2015-2017)
• Merit Travel Award, International Behavioral Neuroscience Society (IBNS) (2017)
• T32 Transdisciplinary Research Training Fellowship, NIH/NHLBI Hunter-Weill Cornell Medicine (2017-2019)
• Merit Travel Award, International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) (2018)
• Carl Storm Underrepresented Minority Fellowship, Neurobiology of Drug Addiction Conference, GRC (2022)

Digital Bibliography

NCBI My Bibliography Link: NCBI

Additional Publications

Viral vectors for studying drug-seeking behavior. Book, ‘The Brain Reward System’ Neuromethods Series by Springer Nature. 2019