Emmanuel Pothos

Emmanuel Pothos is an Associate Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in the Department of Immunology. His research explores the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic neurotransmission in the midbrain and its catecholaminergic projections, with a focus on neurochemistry and molecular biology of disorders like obesity, drug addiction, psychotic disorders, and Parkinson’s disease. He leads a lab studying the plasticity of CNS catecholamine quantal size and its pharmacological intervention potential.

• Doctor of Philosophy, Princeton University, 1994
• Master of Arts, Princeton University, 1990
• Bachelor of Arts, University of Athens, 1988

His publications span neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, and translational medicine, addressing topics such as insulin signaling in astrocytes, dopamine turnover in obesity, and genetic models of dyskinesia. He has secured significant grants from NIH, Pfizer, and other foundations to investigate preclinical interventions for obesity, addiction, and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Astrocyte-derived signals and mental illness (NIH, 2021–2026)
• Intranasal delivery of GDNF for opioid relapse prevention (CTSI, 2020–2022)
• MCH antibody therapy for IBD (Pfizer, 2018–2019)

He teaches courses in Addiction Medicine, Translational Pharmacology, and Graduate Research at Tufts, and has presented at conferences including the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting and Tufts Talks Obesity Seminar Series. His work bridges neurobiology, metabolic disorders, and public health policy.