Diane Lane

Diane Lane is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Neuroscience within the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame, where she contributes to undergraduate and graduate education in neuroscience. Her academic journey includes prior roles as Assistant Professor of Research and Instructor at Weill Cornell Medical College from 2008 to 2022.

• PhD, Washington State University, 2004
• MS, University of New Orleans, 1994
• BA, Eastern Illinois University, 1991

Her research centers on the neural mechanisms underlying reward, motivation, and pain, particularly focusing on how drug abuse alters motivational circuits and how chronic pain develops. She investigates exosome release from pain-sensitizing neurons as potential biomarkers for chronic pain conditions. Her work bridges cellular and molecular neuroscience with behavioral outcomes.

Diane Lane is deeply committed to teaching, offering courses in neuroanatomy, pharmacology, statistics, sensation/perception, physiological psychology, and research methods. She emphasizes collaborative learning and critical thinking in her pedagogy.

Her scientific contributions have been recognized through multiple teaching awards and a featured publication in Communications Biology's World Mental Health Day Collection (2021).

• Featured article for World Mental Health Day Collection 2021, Communications Biology
• Teaching Award, Washington State University, Fall 2000
• Teaching Award, Cameron University, Fall 1998

As a dedicated educator and researcher, she serves as Faculty Advisor for the Neuroscience Honor Society (Nu Rho Psi), mentoring students in academic excellence and scientific inquiry. She has not received mention of external grant funding in the provided text. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates anatomy, physiology, and molecular biology to explore complex brain systems.

Diane Lane is actively engaged in her academic community through teaching, student mentorship, and research on neural systems related to pain and addiction. She does not appear to lead a named laboratory or research team in the provided text, but her research trajectory suggests active involvement in neuroscience research initiatives.