Donna J. Calu

Donna J. Calu, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Her research focuses on behavioral and systems neuroscience to uncover brain mechanisms underlying addiction vulnerability, reward learning, motivation, and individual differences. She employs optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo electrophysiology, and fiber photometry to investigate amygdala, cortical, and striatal circuitry.

• Education: BS in Biology (University of Maryland, College Park), PhD in Neuroscience (University of Maryland School of Medicine)
• Postdoctoral Training: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), mentored by Yavin Shaham

Her work identifies dopamine signaling and neural pathways (e.g., BLA-insular cortex, BLA-nucleus accumbens) as critical for cue-driven behaviors and resilience to relapse. Recent studies explore CB1R signaling, psychedelic effects on dopamine, and sex differences in addiction models.

Scientific Awards include PECASE, NARSAD Young Investigator Award, Outstanding Young Scientist (Maryland Science Center), and Top Junior Investigator (Winter Conference on Brain Research). She serves as Director of the Program in Neuroscience (2023-present) and holds editorial roles in Journal of Neuroscience and Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.