Nathan S. Pentkowski
Associate Professor · Neurobiology of drug addiction
University of New MexicoUnited States
About
Nathan S. Pentkowski is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Mexico. His research focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying drug addiction, anxiety disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease, with an emphasis on stress systems and receptor modulation.
- Key research areas: Neurobiology of drug addiction (cocaine, alcohol, nicotine), social influences on relapse, serotonin receptors, microRNA changes in stress
- Techniques: Behavioral assays, pharmacology, biochemical imaging, genetic manipulation (DREADD, viral-mediated gene transfer)
Selected findings relate to 5-HT1B/2C receptor dynamics, CRF1 stress systems, and miR-495 regulation in addiction and neurodegeneration. Dr. Pentkowski has mentored graduate students including Jack Madden, Carlos Maestas-Olguin, and Kyle Dixon. He teaches courses on Drugs and Behavior, Neurobiology of Addiction, and Molecular Psychiatry. Not accepting students for Fall 2026.
Research fields
Neurobiology of drug addictionConsequences of adolescent exposure to nicotine, ethanol, and cocaineNeurobiology of anxiety and fear-related defensive behaviorsSocial influences on drug self-administration and relapseSerotonin receptor modulation in addiction and affective disordersMicroRNA expression changes due to chronic social stress
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