Judy Grisel

Judy Grisel is a Professor of Psychology at Bucknell University specializing in behavioral neuroscience and addiction research. Her work bridges neuropharmacology, genetics, and clinical applications to understand substance use disorders.

Her educational background includes a Ph.D. and M.A. in Behavioral Neuroscience/Psychology from the University of Colorado, and a B.A. in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. She completed postdoctoral training at Oregon Health & Science University.

Grisel's research focuses on determining the root causes of drug addiction, with particular emphasis on sex differences in stress and endorphin responses to drugs of abuse. She investigates how innate biological factors contribute to individual vulnerability to addiction. Her laboratory employs mouse models to study alcohol consumption patterns, neural reward pathways, and genetic influences on substance use disorders.

Her most recent publications reveal consistent themes in sex-specific responses to alcohol, β-endorphin's regulatory role in addiction pathways, and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying initial drug reward versus chronic dependence. These works demonstrate her laboratory's focus on translating basic neuroscience findings to clinical addiction treatment contexts.

• Mind Science Foundation Distinguished Scientist (2020)
• C. Graydon and Mary E. Rogers Faculty Fellow (2012-2015)
• Howard Hughes Distinguished Mentor (2012)
• Herman N. Hipp Endowed Professorship for Junior Faculty, Furman University

Grisel serves as principal investigator on an NIAAA-funded grant (AA022506-01) examining stress effects on alcohol consumption. Her mentorship has been recognized through multiple institutional awards, reflecting her commitment to training the next generation of neuroscience researchers. She has also contributed significantly to public understanding of addiction through media engagements including TED Talks, NPR interviews, and op-eds in major publications.