Damian Zuloaga

Damian Zuloaga serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University at Albany, State University of New York, where his research centers on neural mechanisms linking hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction to mood disorders, addiction, and cognitive impairment.

His laboratory investigates:

• Neural pathways connecting psychostimulant abuse (e.g., methamphetamine) to HPA axis alterations and mood disorders
• Developmental impacts of early-life stress hormone exposure on brain and behavior
• Sexual differentiation of the CNS and gonadal steroid hormone regulation of stress-related behaviors

Dr. Zuloaga's work emphasizes sex-dependent effects of stress hormones as critical factors in anxiety, depression, and drug addiction prevalence disparities. His research aims to develop targeted treatments for HPA axis dysfunction, with current operations indicating he is not accepting new PhD students for the 2025-26 academic year.