Anthony P. Auger

Anthony P. Auger is a Professor and Principal Investigator in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His research focuses on the epigenetic organization of juvenile brain and behavior, particularly how early-life adversity and sex differences influence mental health outcomes. He leads the Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Lab, which investigates hormonal influences on social development, anxiety, depression, and juvenile social play.

Collaborators include experts such as Joan Jorgensen (Comparative Biosciences), Walid Farhat (Pediatric Urology), and Carol Ryff (Psychology). Current lab members include Postdoctoral Researcher Gabriela de Faria Oliveira, Research Manager Rithika Nurani, and graduate students Thomas Niepsuj and Anna Jesch. Former students like Liza Chang (now First-Year Program Manager at CALS) and Amelia Cuarenta (Postdoctoral Researcher at Temple University) have contributed to studies on epigenetic mechanisms and mental health.

Auger’s work emphasizes understanding how gene-environment interactions shape long-term behavioral outcomes, with a focus on neuroepigenetic processes in critical developmental periods. His research bridges basic science and clinical implications, addressing disparities in neurological and psychiatric disorders between sexes.