Anne M. Andrews

Anne M. Andrews is a Professor-in-Residence in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). With over two decades of continuous NIH funding, she leads an innovative research program at the intersection of neuroscience, chemistry, and nanotechnology, developing cutting-edge tools for neurochemical monitoring and psychiatric research.

Her primary research focuses on developing micro- and nanoscale sensors for real-time monitoring of neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin. Dr. Andrews pioneers aptamer-field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors and advanced voltammetry techniques to overcome traditional limitations in neurotransmitter detection. Her work bridges neurochemistry, nanotechnology, biosensor development, and psychiatric disorders, with significant contributions to understanding serotonin systems in depression, anxiety, and pain mechanisms. She has developed implantable and wearable biosensors that enable unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution in neurochemical monitoring.

Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward practical clinical applications of neurochemical sensing technology. She has made significant advances in aptamer-based FET technology, particularly for serotonin detection, with applications in understanding depression, anxiety, and pain mechanisms. Her interdisciplinary approach combines chemistry, neuroscience, and engineering to create tools that bridge molecular neuroscience with clinical applications, potentially transforming how we understand and treat psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Andrews has maintained continuous NIH funding for over 20 years, with multiple R01 and R03 grants as Principal Investigator. Her research program, Micro- to Nanoscale Neurochemical Sensors (NIH R01DA045550), represents the culmination of her pioneering work in developing tools to monitor neurotransmitters with unprecedented precision. She has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry.

Her laboratory has developed innovative chemical lift-off lithography techniques and aptamer-based sensing platforms that have been widely adopted by other researchers. The lab maintains strong collaborations with materials scientists, electrical engineers, and clinical researchers to translate basic discoveries into practical applications for neuroscience and psychiatry.