Stephanie Daws

Dr. Stephanie Daws is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neural Sciences at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University. She is also affiliated with the Center for Substance Abuse Research, where she leads the Daws Lab focused on the neurobiological underpinnings of substance use disorders, particularly opioid addiction.

Education:

• PhD in Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
• BS in Molecular and Microbiology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Her research integrates molecular biology and behavioral neuroscience to study how molecular mechanisms in the brain sustain drug-seeking behavior after abstinence. She employs rodent models of drug self-administration to investigate epigenetic and non-coding RNA regulation in addiction pathways. Her recent work highlights the roles of microRNAs and circular RNAs in heroin seeking, relapse, and neuroinflammatory responses.

The analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on non-coding RNA mechanisms (especially circular RNAs and microRNAs), neuroepigenetics, and the impact of drugs like psilocybin on addictive behaviors. Her studies frequently involve brain regions such as the nucleus accumbens, orbitofrontal cortex, and amygdala, focusing on transcriptional and translational regulation in the context of opioid use and stress.

Scientific Awards:

• NARSAD Young Investigator Award, Brain and Behavior Foundation
• NIH Pathway to Independence Award K99/R00, NIDA

Dr. Daws has not publicly listed advisees, but she leads an active research laboratory and likely mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Her lab receives funding from federal and private sources, supporting ongoing projects in addiction neuroscience. She is a member of the Society for Neuroscience and maintains a strong publication record in high-impact journals.

Laboratory: The Daws Lab (www.DawsLab.com) is dedicated to uncovering novel druggable targets for treating substance use disorders by studying molecular and epigenetic mechanisms in preclinical models.