Sara Faccidomo, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor
Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies
Department of Psychiatry

Office | 3019 Thurston-Bowles Bldg, CB #7178
Email | sara_faccidomo@med.unc.edu
Lab Website | Hodge Lab

Biosketch | Faccidomo Biosketch

Research Interests

Dr. Faccidomo is a behavioral neuroscientist who is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie alcohol and substance use disorders. Her primary research interests include identifying novel glutamatergic targets (AMPA receptor subunits, ERK1/2, CAMKII, PSD-95 and TARP-ɣ8) that bidirectionally modulate the neurobiology of alcohol drinking and dependence, with a focus on understanding how alcohol use changes brain functions and circuits. A secondary research interest extends this work to investigate a role for TARP-ɣ8 in models of stimulant and opioid use disorders. The overarching goal of her work is to identify novel therapeutics that have the potential to selectively reduce the rewarding and reinforcing aspects of alcohol and other drugs of abuse without undesirable side-effects. Dr. Faccidomo also co-leads the neuroscience outreach activities of the Alcohol Studies Center and collaborates with local school districts and community partners to promote positive messaging about brain health and education.

Recent Publications – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/sara.faccidomo.1/bibliography/public/