Ozburn Lab
Neurobiology of Addiction
Oregon Health & Science University/VA Portland Health Care System
Angela Ozburn, Associate Professor
PhD Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin
Research/Academic Interests: Better understand the neurobiology of addiction to improve treatment options for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder, and provide outstanding mentorship to the next generation of scientists and physicians.
Life Interests: Quality time with loved ones, hiking in the beautiful PNW, SCUBA diving, cooking (BBQ, tex-mex, and family recipes), beading/weaving/knitting with my buddies, movies, and music.
Kolter Grigsby, Post-Doctoral Scholar
PhD Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri
Research Interests: I am interested in molecular and neural mechanisms of motivated behaviors, specifically in how physical activity can reduce alcohol drinking. My long-term research and career goals involve developing a comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis and underlying mechanisms that control motivated behaviors. Sharing a highlight of Kolter's recent collaborative research publication: https://news.ohsu.edu/2023/02/21/pill-for-skin-disease-also-curbs-excessive-drinking
Life Interests: Running! Well, anything outdoors really, but especially distance running. I also particularly enjoy seeing old friends, good coffee, music, and finding new places to eat.
Justin Anderson, Post-Doctoral Scholar
PhD Theoretical and Computational Physics, Colorado School of Mines
Research Interests: My research project employs genomics and computational informatics approaches to identify gene networks associated with problematic alcohol drinking.
Life Interests: Camping, hiking, trying new food/beer/wine/coffee, board games.
Amy Chan, Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience Graduate Student, OHSU
BA Biology, Macalastar College
Research Interests: the role of sex differences in the brain circuitry regulating binge drinking.
Life Interests: Kittens, cooking, hanging out with friends and family.
Louis Nuñez, Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience Graduate Student, OHSU
BS Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder
Research Interests: I am interested in the role of immune signaling mediating alcohol drinking.
Life Interests: kendama, video games, podcasts, social equity
Joselinne Medrano, Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interests: How drugs of abuse alter behavior and physiology of the brain
Life Interests: running, music, and spending time with friends and family.
Zaynah Usmani, Research Assistant
BS Psychology, University of Washington
Research Interests: I hope to better understand the neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying addiction, anxiety, and depression. I am interested in brain markers of risk for developing these disorders to identify neural targets for prevention and treatment.
Life Interests: Hiking, baking, traveling, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
Ian Anderson, Senior Research Assistant
BS Biology and Psychology, Portland State University
Research Interests: I am interested in the neurobiology of addiction and neurodegenerative diseases.
Life Interests: Various nerdy hobbies (video games, Dungeons and Dragons, game nights with friends, etc.), exploring Portland’s food and beer scene, and enjoying live music.
Luis Tzab, Research Assistant 2
BS Biohealth Sciences, Oregon State University
Research Interests: I am interested in neuroimmunology and biological mechanisms of addiction..
Life Interests: I love weight lifting, playing basketball, snowboarding, film and digital photography, spending time with family and friends, experiencing new restaurants, live music and traveling.
Jonathan Palacios, U-RISE and McNair Fellow
BA Psychology, Portland State University (Expected Graduation June 2024)
Research Interests: I am interested in behavioral neuroscience, and the goal of my current experiment is to determine whether adenosine monophosphate kinase plays an important role in regulating alcohol drinking. Recent blog post from Jonathan on his journey in STEM so far: https://nwnoggin.org/2023/03/13/bird-in-a-cage/
Lab Alumni
Snigdha Kanadibhotla, ASE Intern, 2015-2016
Tanvi Batish, PVARF Fellow and OSU Thesis, 2015-2016
Dove Spector, OSHU Equity Intern, 2015
Simon Powell, Research Assistant, 2016
Rachel Champaigne, PVARF Fellow, 2016
Brad Scherer, Lewis and Clark Volunteer, 2016
Reeves Wilson, PSU EXITO Intern, 2016-2017
Delaney Smith, OHSU Equity Intern/PVARF Fellow 2016- 2017
Jewel Bordeaux, OHSU Equity Intern, 2017
Kate LeBlanc, ASE and OHSU Intern, 2015-2017
Alexander Tran, Research Assistant 2, 2016-2018
Evan Firsick, Research Assistant 2, 2015-2018
April Vasquez, ASE Intern, 2017-2018
Allison Clark, OHSU Intern and Student Researcher, 2017-2018
Meher Chand, ASE Intern, 2018
Miracle Uzoekwe, ASE Intern, 2018
Linh Le, PSU EXITO Intern, 2018-2019
Kayla Townsley, PSU EXITO Intern 2016-2018, Research Assistant 2018-2019
Dar'ya Pozhidayeva, PSU EXITO Intern and McNair Scholar 2017-2019, Research Assistant 2019
Mar Borrego, Research Assistant2, 2019-2021
Antonia Savarese, Post-doctoral Scholar, 2019-2021
Pam Metten, Staff Scientist, 2019-2021
Madeleine Stewart, ASE and OHSU student intern, 2020-2021
Bryan Jensen, Senior Research Assistant, 2020-2022
Joselinne Medrano, OHSU PREP Scholar, 2021-2022
Courtney Ledford, PSU EXITO Intern and McNair Scholar 2020-2022
Alejandra Ortiz Correa, OHSU PREP Scholar, 2022-2023
Ethan Haggman, PVARF Fellow and PSU Thesis, 2022-2023