Gregory Loney

Gregory Loney is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, within the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying dysregulated motivated behaviors, particularly polysubstance abuse and nonhomeostatic food consumption, with an emphasis on insular cortical dysfunction and nicotine's role in promoting polysubstance vulnerability.

• Education: PhD from Florida State University

Using circuit-specific chemogenetic manipulations and site-specific neuropharmacology, his Neurobiology of Habitual Behaviors Lab investigates how nicotine exposure alters sensitivity to drug reinforcement, punishment efficacy, and interoceptive awareness. Recent work demonstrates nicotine's capacity to enhance opioid consumption persistence despite adverse consequences through insular cortex mechanisms.

While his publications span 2011-2025, current research trends emphasize orexin-1 receptor involvement in synthetic opioid consumption, insular cortex plasticity in polysubstance use, and cross-substance interactions affecting behavioral economics of drug use. All studies employ translational rodent models integrating behavioral, pharmacological, and neuroanatomical approaches.

Contact: 109 Biomedical Research Building, Buffalo NY 14260-4110 | (716) 645-0241 | gcloney@buffalo.edu