{"id":2275,"date":"2021-01-14T10:43:07","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T15:43:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/alcohol\/brains\/?page_id=2275"},"modified":"2025-12-09T12:28:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T17:28:12","slug":"meet-the-scientists","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/alcohol\/brains\/meet-the-scientists\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Scientists"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \"Sara\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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Sara Faccidomo, PhD <\/h2> \n \n

Faculty, University of North Carolina School of Medicine<\/strong><\/p>\n

I study how moderate alcohol drinking changes leads to long-lasting changes in brain function and behavior. One of my goals is to use pharmacology to identify molecular mechanisms that lead to reductions in alcohol drinking. <\/p>\n

I love talking to everybody, but especially to kids, about what their brain does, how they can keep it safe and make it stronger! <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

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\n \"Donita\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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Donita Robinson, PhD <\/h2> \n \n

Faculty, University of North Carolina School of Medicine<\/strong><\/p>\n

I study decision making and the brain systems used to make choices. I\u2019m also interested in how drugs like alcohol and nicotine - especially during adolescence - influence decision making.<\/p>\n

I enjoy sharing with others not only the interesting things I\u2019ve learned about the brain, but how fun and amazing our brains are!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

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\n \"Joyce\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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Joyce Besheer, PhD <\/h2> \n \n

Faculty, University of North Carolina School of Medicine<\/strong><\/p>\n

I study how stress affects our brain, our behaviors and specifically alcohol drinking. I also focus on identifying new pharmacological targets that can be used to develop medications to help people who struggle with alcohol use disorder.<\/p>\n

I love talking about the brain and developing activities that we can do together to learn about the brain!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

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\n \"Brooke\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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Brooke Bender, PhD <\/h2> \n \n

Postdoctoral Fellow, Besheer Lab<\/strong><\/p>\n

I study how different factors like stress, environment, and learning impact behaviors related to substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders.<\/p>\n

I love teaching and getting people excited to learn about how the brain works. I especially love talking about learning and memory!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

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\n \"Jessica\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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Jessica Wojick, PhD <\/h2> \n \n

Postdoctoral Fellow, Kash Lab<\/strong><\/p>\n

I study how chronic alcohol exposure impacts serotonin signaling in the brain and how that affects behavior.<\/p>\n

I love breaking down complicated topics into digestible content that everyone can understand!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

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\n \"Caroline\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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Caroline Krieman <\/h2> \n \n

Research Technician, Besheer Lab<\/strong><\/p>\n

I study the interaction between stress, alcohol, and the brain as well as the influence of cardiovascular signals on the interoceptive effects of alcohol.<\/p>\n

I love to talk with students about science, specifically the brain, and engage in fun conversations about research!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

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\n \"Samuel\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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Samuel McDonald <\/h2> \n \n

BBSP Graduate Student, Besheer Lab<\/strong><\/p>\n

I study how differences in brain circuitry can lead to preference for alcohol over other rewarding experiences.<\/p>\n

I love sharing how our understanding of the brain can be relevant to our everyday lives.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

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\n \"Todd\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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Todd O'Buckley <\/h2> \n \n

Research Specialist, Besheer Lab<\/strong><\/p>\n

I study the effects of alcohol, how it interacts with stress and learning, and investigate potential treatments for alcohol use disorder.<\/p>\n

I enjoy talking with the public about the work we do, and encouraging students and others to discover and engage with STEM careers.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Maria\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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Maria Echeveste Sanchez <\/h2> \n \n

BBSP Graduate Student, Kash Lab<\/strong><\/p>\n

I study how changes in reward circuitry affect alcohol drinking and how this differs from males and females.<\/p>\n

I love making science more accessible and getting people excited about the brain and our behaviors. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n \n