Peter Vento

Peter Vento is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of South Carolina, leading the Vento Lab on Aversive Learning. His research examines brain pathways mediating aversive learning and cost-benefit decision-making, particularly how negative experiences influence future behavioral choices.

Using optogenetics, chemogenetics, and calcium imaging in rodents, his lab visualizes and manipulates neural circuits controlling punishment learning and maladaptive behaviors. This work aims to understand how addiction and mood disorders disrupt normal learning processes.

Dr. Vento's research combines behavioral paradigms with neuroanatomical techniques to study neural substrates of motivation. Current projects investigate rostromedial tegmental nucleus involvement in encoding punished reward seeking.