About
Alexander Friedman serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), leading interdisciplinary research that bridges experimental neuroscience and computational approaches to study decision-making pathologies.
His research program focuses on computational modeling of cost-benefit decision-making processes in neurological and psychiatric disorders including addiction, depression, PTSD, and Huntington's disease. The lab integrates circuit physiology of basal ganglia structures (striatum, striosomes), dopamine signaling, and neurotechnology techniques like optogenetics with behavioral analysis in rodent models to investigate neural mechanisms underlying impaired decision-making.
Recent publications demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory emphasizing high-throughput behavioral systems development and computational modeling of context-specific decisions, with significant applications in understanding alcohol's differential impact on male decision-making and addiction-related neural circuitry.
Scientific recognition includes:
- $2.8M NIH Grant advancing addiction-related decision-making research
- Prestigious NSF Early-Career Faculty Grant supporting convergent neuroscience training
Mentorship achievements span 12 years with 50 students entering PhD programs, ~200 pursuing MD training, 1 postdoctoral trainee, and 2 faculty appointments. Approximately 50 student co-authors across publications reflect his commitment to hands-on research training through grants that integrate education with innovative neuroscience.
The Community Neuroscience lab cultivates interdisciplinary expertise through tactile learning approaches, training 10 current PhD students to operate at the intersection of experimental and computational neuroscience while developing systems like RECORD for behavioral analysis.
