Alexis Thompson

Alexis Thompson is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, within the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a PhD from the University at Buffalo and is actively involved in teaching and research in behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology.

Her research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying substance abuse, maternal behavior, and pain behavior. Key areas include the role of neuropeptide Y in cocaine-seeking after abstinence and endogenous opioid systems in maternal pain reduction and bonding. She teaches undergraduate courses such as Introductory Psychology, Substance Use and Abuse, Psychopharmacology, and Advanced Research Methods.

The most recent publications show a blend of core neuroscience and interdisciplinary analytical techniques. While her foundational work centers on opioid and dopamine systems in rodent models, recent articles involve advanced mass spectrometry and nanomaterial-based sensing, suggesting collaborative engagement with analytical chemistry fields. The overarching themes remain addiction, analgesia, and neurobehavioral adaptations.

• Delta- and kappa-opioid receptor mechanisms in analgesia and addiction
• Neuropeptide Y as a modulator of cocaine relapse
• Behavioral and neurochemical effects of placenta and amniotic fluid ingestion
• Methodological rigor in rodent pain and addiction models

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

Dr. Thompson has mentored or collaborated with numerous researchers, though formal advisees are not listed. Her work has been supported by institutional and possibly federal research funding, though specific grants are not mentioned. She has contributed to methodological advancements in microdialysis and behavioral assays.

She is associated with research laboratories focused on behavioral pharmacology and neurochemistry, likely within the Department of Psychology. These labs investigate drug self-administration, pain models, and maternal behavior using rodent systems. Future work may continue to explore neuropeptide-based treatments for addiction and the neurobiology of postpartum adaptation.