Jerry Stitzel

Professor Jerry Stitzel at the University of Colorado Boulder's Institute for Behavioral Genetics and Integrative Physiology department specializes in the molecular and physiological mechanisms of nicotine dependence and comorbid psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia and ADHD. His work bridges human genetics with mouse models to study tobacco addiction, epigenetic inheritance, and neuropharmacological effects.

Research Focus

• Genetic determinants of drug-seeking behaviors
• CHRNA5/CHRNB2 nicotinic receptor polymorphisms
• Maternal nicotine exposure epigenetics
• Sex-specific addiction mechanisms

Recent Trends: Analysis of transcriptomic networks, intergenerational effects of nicotine, and glial receptor modulation. Key grants include NIDA U01DA043802 (PI) and AB Nexus (Lead PI) funding studies on Chrna5 variants and mitochondrial function.

Academic Contributions

• Principal Instructor for courses in Physiological Genetics (IPHY 4200/5200/6840)
• Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University (1992)
• International collaborations in Chile, France, Germany, and Japan

Laboratory: Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory explores nicotine's impact on sleep, circadian rhythms, and gene-environment interactions using transgenic mouse models.