Christopher M. Olsen

Christopher M. Olsen, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. His research focuses on understanding how environmental factors and traumatic brain injury (TBI) influence addictive behaviors, particularly opioid and cocaine dependence, using rodent models. He collaborates with experts in biomedical engineering and neurosurgery to explore TBI’s impact on mesocorticolimbic function and addiction.

• Education: PhD in Toxicology and Neuroscience (University of Texas, 2004); MS (Texas Tech University, 1998); BA (Baylor University, 1994)

Research interests include neuronal ensembles involved in drug-seeking behavior, the role of environmental enrichment in recovery, and sex-specific effects of neuropathic pain on addiction. His lab (Olsen Lab) employs advanced techniques like transgenic approaches and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to study these mechanisms. Recent work highlights interactions between TBI and opioid dependence, as well as the moderating effects of sleep restriction on relapse.

Publications emphasize translational neuroscience, including studies on brain injury sequelae, HPA axis dysregulation during abstinence, and the neurobiological basis of novelty-seeking behavior. His collaborative projects with Drs. Brain Stemper and Matthew Budde bridge pharmacology with neuroimaging and engineering.

• Key collaborations: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Neurosurgery
• Lab: Olsen Lab (olsenlab.org)