Friedbert Weiss

Friedbert Weiss, PhD is a Professor in the Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in La Jolla, California. He has been a faculty member since 2005 and serves as Associate Director of The Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research. His research focuses on the neurobiological basis of drug and alcohol addiction, particularly mechanisms underlying dependence, withdrawal, craving, and relapse. He holds dual roles in academic leadership and translational research.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. (Biological Psychology), University of California, Santa Barbara (1986)
• M.A. (Psychology), University of California, Santa Barbara (1983)
• B.A. (Psychology), University of San Francisco (1980)

Research Interests: Dr. Weiss investigates neuropharmacological and molecular mechanisms of addiction, with emphasis on brain stress systems (e.g., CRF, N/OFQ, orexin/hypocretin). His work explores how innate and drug-induced dysregulation of these systems contributes to addiction behaviors. Key areas include: corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), orexin/hypocretin signaling in addiction-related brain circuits.

Selected Achievements:

• National Institute on Drug Abuse MERIT Award (1989)
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism FIRST Award (2004)

Advisory & Grant Work: Serves on grant review panels for NIH/NIDA and NIH/NIAAA. Leads studies funded by NIDA/NIAAA investigating novel pharmacotherapies for addiction relapse prevention.

Labs/Teams: Director of addiction neurobiology research at TSRI’s Pearson Center, leading a team studying NOP receptor systems, stress pathways, and compulsive drug-seeking behaviors.